Woman of Steel celebrates her 100th birthday

Alice Smith or “Queenie” turned 100 on October 24 this year.

And while the centurion was not able to have the celebration she deserved due to the Covid-19 pandemic, her loved ones were still able to wish her a happy birthday through the windows at Darnall Grange Care Home where she lives.

Originally from Brightside Lane in Attercliffe, Alice married Frank Smith and the couple went on to have two sons, Frank and Terrence.

“She is mentioned in a book about the of the Women of Steel,” said Christine, Alice’s daughter-in-law.

The book was written about women who worked in Sheffield’s steel industry to help with war efforts during the Second World War.

Alice worked as an overhead crane driver for British Steel both during, and after, the war.

She later continued working with them as part of their administration staff.

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