Dame Kelly Holmes, a double Olympic champion, has been named the greatest female role model in Britain, according to a poll by British Gas. The retired middle-distance runner, who specialized in the 800m and 1,500m events, secured gold medals in both disciplines at the 2004 Athens Olympics. She continues to hold British records over the 600m and 1,000m distances.
Holmes narrowly outranked heptathlon specialist Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, another Olympic gold medalist, who came in second place. The poll of 2,000 adults revealed that 65 percent of respondents believe women should receive greater recognition in sports. Additionally, 66 percent of parents feel that children's media adequately portrays girls aspiring to be ambitious and successful.
Other notable figures included in the top rankings were the Princess of Wales, actress Emma Watson, and singer Adele, all tied for third place. Former England international footballers Jill Scott and Alex Scott were also recognized as inspiring figures, with both placing sixth and seventh respectively. Jill Scott, a Euro 2022 winner, noted the importance of representation in media, stating, "Growing up, I didn't always see footballers like me in the books I read. I know how important it is for young people to see themselves in the stories they read."
Jill Scott is featured in a new children's book, "The Things' Football Adventures," launched by WSL Football. She contributed the foreword and narrated a video reading of the book. The initiative aims to encourage more girls to participate in sports, with 92 percent of people believing that seeing female footballers in books, on television, or in the media could inspire greater participation.
Also recognized in the poll were broadcaster and women's rights activist Katie Piper and former Paralympian Ellie Simmonds. James Corcoran, brand partnerships director at British Gas, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with WSL Football, stating, "As a proud, official partner of WSL Football, we're delighted to launch a brand-new series of children's books that brings the game to life for the next generation."
The full list of top role models included Stacey Solomon, Dame Mary Berry, Kate Winslet, Hannah Waddingham, Dame Sarah Gilbert, Nadiya Hussain, Olivia Colman, Emma Raducanu, Dame Deborah James, Leah Williamson, and Deborah Meaden. The poll highlights a public sentiment that greater recognition and representation of women, particularly in sports and media, are important for inspiring future generations.