City s longest ever carnival-style parade among events to mark Cov s City of Culture 2021 coventrytelegraph.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from coventrytelegraph.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
BBC News
By Vanessa Pearce
image copyrightGetty Images
image captionThe wives of Chrysler s striking workers protested in 1975 - one group demanded men go back to work while others supported the strike
From Lady Godiva s battle for fairer taxes to the fight for better housing, pay and conditions, Coventry s history is packed with women who have spoken up on behalf of the oppressed or voiceless.
Acts of rebellion and resistance in the city have included the fight for the vote, the tragic death of an animal rights campaigner and schoolgirls protesting for the right to wear trousers.
According to legend, Godiva, who was married to Leofric, the Earl of Mercia and Lord of Coventry, rode naked through the city s marketplace in order to reduce taxes imposed by her husband.
The story behind Lady Godivas who rode through Coventry housing estates
They certainly caused a stir - but people have been wondering why they didn t know about their arrival
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Real life Lady Godivas turned the heads of Coventry residents this week as they rode into different neighbourhoods.
14 Coventry women chosen to be modern day Lady Godivas as part of UK City of Culture coventrytelegraph.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from coventrytelegraph.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
BBC News
Published
image captionA statue of Lady Godiva stands in Coventry
Fourteen modern-day Lady Godivas are learning to ride horses so they can take part in an event to launch Coventry s UK City of Culture year.
The Godivas, chosen to represent women of the city, include musician Christine Sugary Staple and Pru Porretta, who has played Godiva at events since 1982.
Coventry Moves, which takes place on 5 June, is billed as a dawn to dusk performance.
The Godivas exact roles will be revealed on the day.
image copyrightCoventry City of Culture Trust
image captionThe part the 14 women will play has not yet been revealed