Ninette Gold and Pat Jones
The RSPCA is remembering female trailblazers on International Women’s Day today (Friday).
Ninette Gold and Pat Jones were the first two female patrol officers back in 1952. Ninette, 19, had been a ballet dancer before joining the charity and Pat Jones, 32, had no previous occupation.
Inspector Sarah Hayland is one of the RSPCA’s longest-serving inspectors, having been with the charity for 28 years, covering north Lancashire.
The RSPCA has also remembered some famous figures that were involved in the past.
Queen Victoria gave a Royal Patronage to the ‘SPCA’ in 1837 – when she was still Princess Victoria – and in 1840 gave the charity its Royal Warrant, meaning it could add the R to its name. She also played an active role within the society including designing a Queen’s Medal and attending events held by the charity.
Angela Burdett-Coutts, granddaughter of banker Thomas Coutts, became vice-patron in 1839 and founded the charity’s Ladies Committee with Catherine Smithies in 1870.
