Glenda Jackson celebrated with Honorary Freedom of the Borough
The late Glenda Jackson has been recognised for her achievements with the Honorary Freedom of the Borough in a private ceremony.
The Oscar-winning actress, who was born in Birkenhead and later served as a Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate in London for 23 years, died in 2023 at the age of 87.
Last year Wirral Council unanimously voted to give her the Freedom of the Borough in acknowledgement of her extraordinary achievements. This honour is now being awarded during Wirral’s year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture which showcases the area’s creativity and artistic endeavour.
A private ceremony was held for Ms Jackson's family to receive the award on her behalf.
The Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Cherry Povall JP, said:
Glenda Jackson illustrated on an international stage the very best our wonderful borough has to offer and it is a real pleasure to be able to acknowledge her achievements in this way.
It was also wonderful to be able to share some time with her family as we mark an incredible life and contribution to culture and politics.
Glenda May Jackson was born on 9 May 1936 in Birkenhead, the oldest of four daughters and went to school at Holy Trinity Church of England Primary school. Her secondary education was at West Kirby County Grammar School for Girls.
Glenda Jackson performed in the Townswomen’s Guild Drama group in her teens and made her first acting appearance in J.B Priestley’s ‘Mystery of Greenfingers’ in 1952 for the YMCA Players in Hoylake.
After Glenda Jackson left school she worked in Boots the Chemist before winning a scholarship in 1954 to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.
Following a number of jobs and roles in repertory theatre Glenda went on to star in a range of prominent film and TV productions between 1969 to 1980.
Glenda Jackson is the only British actress to have won two Oscars – for her 1970 role opposite Oliver Reed in Women in Love and then three years later for A Touch of Class.
The Glenda Jackson theatre in Wirral was officially named after her at a ceremony in September 1983 after she reached the pinnacle of her fame and remained until it was demolished in 2005 following the establishment of a purpose-built site for students.
There had always been a pull towards a political career for Glenda Jackson that ran alongside her acting career and in 1991 she retired from acting to devote herself to politics and was elected as an MP for Hampstead and Highgate in 1992. In July 1996 she became the shadow minister for transport.
Following Labour’s victory in the 1997 General Election Glenda was re-elected and appointed as a junior minister in the government of Tony Blair with responsibility in the London Regional Transport. She remained as an MP until 2015 when she announced that she would not seek re-election.
Glenda Jackson died aged 87 years old on Thursday 15th June 2023 at her home in London with her family by her side.
Under the Local Government Act 1972, Wirral Council has the power to grant the title of Honorary Freeman or Freewoman of the Borough to persons of distinction who have rendered eminent Service to the Borough.
Very few people have been awarded this status and however members of the council agreed Glenda Jackson of Birkenhead should receive the honour.
The Freedom of the Borough was presented to Dan Hodges, Glenda Jackson’s son, in a private event held in the Mayor’s parlour on Friday October 18, followed by afternoon tea with the Mayor of Wirral.
Following that the groups travelled to Glenda Jackson’s former home in Wirral at Lake Place for the Blue Plaque unveiling.
