A trail-blazing Edwardian beauty queen - Princess Dinubolu of Senegal -is set to be remembered with a Blue Plaque at Southend Victoria Station on Sunday.

In 1908, the young woman arrived at Southend Victoria Station by third class carriage with her dreams set on winning the town’s beauty contest.

However, this act of courage caused a scandal that made front page news around the world for the simple reason she was black.

Princess Dinubolu was one of the first black woman to enter a British beauty competition and battled against racism to make her mark on the world.

Echo: Blue Plaque unveiling - is this Princess Dinubolu of Senegal?Blue Plaque unveiling - is this Princess Dinubolu of Senegal? (Image: Elsa James)

The plaque was organised by the Essex Women’s Commemoration Project (EWCP) which sees blue plaques being unveiled across Essex to commemorate women whose historic achievements deserve to be widely recognised.

It was in 1908 when the manager of Southend Kursaal, Mr Bacon, who was preparing for the annual Beauty Contest, received a telegram from Norfolk from Princess Dinubolu of Senegal.

She stated: “Was not allowed to compete Yarmouth Beauty Show on account of colour. Have you any rule barring me? I am light chocolate.” Bacon replied: “Don’t come. Local prejudice.”

In a poem published by the Essex Newsman on August 22, 1908, Claude Greening eulogised the Princess and urged Southend to support her.

On the evening of August 19 1908, Princess Dinubolu arrived at  Southend Victoria Station and was paraded through the streets in an open carriage on her way to the recently opened five-star Metropole Hotel, later the Palace, and now the Park Inn.

The publicity stunt was only for Princess Dinubolu and none of the other 100 contestants had the same treatment. About 3,000 spectators packed into the Southend Kursaal for the 1908 beauty competition. Newspapers in London dispatched reporters to the scene and from there the story quickly spread, even reaching New Zealand.

Sadly, she did not win. However her acts of bravery paved the way for other women.

In 1970, Jennifer Hosten became the first black Miss World and she recognised the courageousness of Princess Dinubolu.

A blue plaque commemorating Princess Dinubolu will be unveiled by the Essex Women’s Commemoration Project, sponsored by the Community Rail Partnership, on Sunday at Southend Victoria Station from midday to 12.30pm.

Playwright Anne Odeke, who wrote and performed the play Princess Essex will be there as well as Southend artist Elsa James.