Celia Wray and The Barnsley Suffragettes

Celia Wray (1872–1954) was a pioneering Barnsley-born architect and passionate suffragette. As Secretary of the Barnsley Women’s Suffrage Society, she championed women’s rights while designing distinctive cottages in Cudworth, some of which are still standing today.

A sepia-toned portrait of a person with short, neatly styled hair, wearing a jacket, white shirt, and bow tie, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. — Celia Wray (Photo credit LSE Library)

"Getting votes for those who pay the piper"

This is how Celia Wray defaced the 1911 census. Barnsley's pioneering Suffragette is not only remembered in a new display in the museum, in 2026 Barnsley Civic Trust are planning on unveiling a new blue plaque to celebrate her life and accomplishments.

For International Women's Day on 8 March 2026 we're also planning on sharing a new blog about the Barnsley Suffragettes - so come back to this page for more updates!

A large crowd of women and men gather outside a row of brick houses, holding banners supporting suffragettes in Barnsley, 1913. Signs include messages like "Law Abiding," highlighting the women's suffrage movement. — Arrival of Pilgrim Suffragettes, Barnsley, July 1913

Celia Wray and the other Barnsley Suffragetes are in the very centre of this Barnsley Archives and Local Studies photograph. More about this image will be shared in our future blog.