Jeanne Rathbone has lived in Battersea since she was a teenager after immigrating from Ireland in the 1960’s.

A practising Humanist Celebrant, and very much involved in local community politics, Jeanne was instrumental in campaigning for Nightingale Lane Nursery, Latchmere Baths, Battersea Power Station and Battersea Arts Centre in the 1980’s.

Jeanne has had a varied career having worked as a Laboratory Technician, childminder, youth worker, Women’s Officer in Hammersmith & Fulham Council – a role in which she particularly enjoyed and refers to as being “paid to be a feminist”. She has been a counsellor and comedy performer, her stage name is Shelia Na Gig and she has performed in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.