Dame Kelly Holmes has been identified as Britain's greatest female role model, according to a poll. The retired middle-distance runner, who won double Olympic gold medals in the 800m and 1,500m events at the 2004 Athens Olympics, narrowly surpassed fellow Olympic gold medalist Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill in the survey. Holmes's journey from working in a sweet shop and as an Army truck driver to becoming a double Olympic champion was highlighted as a key factor.
The survey of 2,000 people also indicated a broader sentiment that women should receive greater recognition in sports, with 65 percent of adults agreeing. Furthermore, 66 percent of parents believe that children's books, television programs, and films are not adequately showcasing girls aspiring to be ambitious and successful.
The Princess of Wales ranked third in the poll, followed by actress Emma Watson and singer Adele. Former England international footballers Jill Scott and Alex Scott were also recognized as inspiring figures. Jill Scott, a Euro 2022 winner, commented on the importance of representation, noting her own lack of seeing herself in books while growing up and emphasizing the value for young people to see themselves in stories.
Jill Scott is featured in a new children's book, "The Things' Football Adventures," launched by WSL Football, for which she wrote the foreword and narrated a video reading. The publication aims to engage families with women's football, with 92 percent of respondents believing that increased visibility of female footballers in media could encourage more girls to participate in sports. This initiative is supported by British Gas, an official partner of WSL Football.
Other notable figures in the list of role models include broadcaster Katie Piper and former Paralympian Ellie Simmonds. The poll's results highlight a public desire for greater recognition of female achievement and ambition, particularly in areas like sports and media representation for young girls.