**An Extraordinary Welsh Woman Honoured for Her Vital Role in World War II**
In a poignant and inspiring tribute, a remarkable Welsh woman, Joan Curran, has finally received recognition for her immense contributions during World War II. Despite her pivotal role in crucial wartime advancements, Joan sadly passed away without the commendation she so rightfully deserved.
Joan Curran, a brilliant physicist hailing from Swansea, was recently immortalised with an 8ft statue, commemorating her groundbreaking work during the Second World War. Born in 1916, Joan displayed exceptional scientific acumen from a young age. Her father, an optician, instilled a love for science in her that would shape her future.
Educated at Swansea Girls’ High School, Joan’s academic excellence earned her a scholarship to study physics at Newnham College, Cambridge. Graduating in 1937, she embarked on a career as a physicist, making significant contributions to technical wartime innovations such as the proximity fuse and the invention of ‘Window’, used to mislead German forces before D-Day.
Not only was Joan instrumental in the development of radar, the atomic bomb, and electromagnetic isotope separation during the war while working at the Manhattan Project in California, but she was also a pioneer in advocating for social care services for individuals with learning disabilities.
Following the war, Joan and her husband, Sam Curran, settled in Scotland, where Joan became a professor at Glasgow University and continued her advocacy for the disabled. She co-founded Enable, an organisation supporting parents of mentally handicapped children, leaving a lasting impact on thousands in Scotland.
Despite her immense contributions, Joan’s efforts went largely unrecognised during her lifetime. Her husband, also a physicist, received a knighthood in 1970, with colleagues acknowledging Joan’s superior wartime contributions. Joan’s legacy, however, was not forgotten, as a recent tribute unveiled her statue alongside nine other remarkable women at the Women in War exhibition at the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln.
Nicky van der Drift, the centre’s chief executive, emphasised that these steel silhouettes pay homage to the bravery and resilience of women during wartime, shining a light on their often-overlooked contributions. The exhibition aims to honour the vital roles women played in history.
Joan Curran’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the countless unsung heroes whose contributions have shaped the course of history. Her legacy continues to inspire future generations, igniting a renewed appreciation for the invaluable role women have played in times of conflict and beyond.