Mary Hare commemorated with blue plaque in Brighton

Mary Hare, who lived from 1865 to 1945, was a revolutionary campaigner for the inclusion in society and education of deaf children, who at that time were often abandoned in asylums or considered by some as unworthy of education.

Mary, who lived at 17 St Michael’s Place, Brighton, taught pupils herself, as well as becoming an inspector and examiner of other schools for the deaf, pushing for high standards and achievements in the field of deaf education. 

Many attended the unveiling (Image: Brighton and Hove Women’s History Group)

She contributed evidence and recommendations to the 1886 Royal Commission on the Education of Deaf Children and supported the equal rights of women teachers. Her legacy lives on to this day in the Mary Hare School, which is the UK’s largest special school for the deaf. it is now based in Newbury, Berkshire. "My efforts on behalf of the Deaf," she wrote "have been my greatest joy in life."

Mary Hare (Image: Submitted)

Mary was also president of the Brighton Women’s Co-operative Guild and a dedicated suffragette, active in the local branch of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), based in Queen’s Road, Brighton. She also joined the Women’s Freedom League and in 1913 became its secretary.

From 1915, Mary set up an independent women’s police force in Brighton to help vulnerable women and children. Mary’s Women Police Volunteers wore military-style uniforms and were given training in martial arts, first aid and giving evidence in court.

Margaret Stewart and Maria Hogg of Brighton and Hove Women’s History Group (Image: Brighton and Hove Women’s History Group)

Now, a plaque has been unveiled at 17 St Michael’s Place, which was Mary’s home from 1895 to 1901 and was the site of the school she founded.

A large crowd gathered to see the unveiling of the plaque on Saturday, which was proposed by Margaret Stewart, a member of Brighton and Hove Women’s History Group, who supported her efforts.

Margaret was herself a pupil at the Mary Hare Grammar School for the Deaf in Newbury.

The mayor Cllr Jackie O’Quinn and Margaret Stewart (Image: Brighton and Hove Women’s History Group)

Margaret single-handedly fundraised for the plaque and nominated Mary to be named on one of Brighton and Hove Buses some years ago. 

The bus company arranged to have the bus at the ceremony and British Sign Language interpreter Lesley Russell also attended.

Brighton and Hove Mayor Councillor Jackie O’Quinn gave an address and other speakers included Robin Askew, who is the current headmaster of Mary Hare School for the Deaf, Superintendent Petra Lazaar of Sussex Police and Maria Hogg from Brighton and Hove Women’s History Group.