A two year long campaign led by feminist writer and activist Caroline Criado Perez, culminated in yesterday’s unveiling ceremony of the first statue of a woman, designed by a woman at Parliament Square. Millicent Fawcett was a suffragist, pioneering feminist, intellectual and union leader who fought for the women’s right to vote.
The ceremony was attended by Caroline Criado Perez, whose speech explained the process of getting the statue to Parliament Square started with a running session with her dog on International Women’s Day 2016 and the realisation that all statues on the square were male. Prime Minister Theresa May praised the work of Millicent Fawcett and other suffragists and suffragettes like her, which was what allowed herself, and other women like her, to have a sit in Parliament. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, proud feminist, who received Caroline Criado Perez letter asking to erect this statue on one of his first days in office, also praised the unsung heroes, some of whom are also represented in this statue.
Music, poetry and the reading of Millicent Fawcett’s speeches were another part of the ceremony which helped get those emotions going. As a woman, I felt proud of all the ones who came before me and was even more aware of the responsibility to keep fighting for a more equal world.
Millicent Fawcett’s statue designed by Gillian Wearing and the inclusion of Jane Austen on the £10 note – another successful campaign led by Caroline Criado Perez – are important steps in allowing a fairer and more balanced representation of society.
“Joy’s soul lies in the doing.” – Millicent Fawcett
