Dolly Peel.

A statue erected in South Shields, overlooking the River Tyne, to commemorate the life of Dolly Peel (1782-1857).
She was a famous character in Victorian South Shields, who acquired local legendary status.
Dolly was a fishwife, a smuggler, and a protector of local sailors from the press gang. During the Napoleonic wars her husband and son were press-ganged to serve in the Royal Navy, so Dolly sneaked on board the ship and hid.After being discovered, she was given work as a nurse to sick and wounded sailors. Her work and dedication was respected, and she was allowed to stay on board with her family. She was rewarded with a pardon for her initial attempts to interfere with Naval practice. Her husband and son were released from the navy and were exempted from future press-ganging.
Later in life she published poetry, most notably verses praising the local Liberal MP Robert Ingam, of whom she was a strong supporter, during the 1841 general election.
A tribute to the strength of a local working woman on International Women's Day.