Skip to main content

Campaign of the Week Telling ‘her story’ in Middlesbrough

EMMA CHESWORTH writes on the underrepresentation of women in public works of art and the campaign to see Ellen Wilkinson set in stone

IT FEELS fitting that as we celebrate the centenary of some women winning suffrage, campaigns are underway to ensure the huge efforts and achievements of women are celebrated.

Women were not given the vote. They fought for it. And fought hard, whether that be through the suffragettes’ direct, physical action or through the suffragist methods of winning enfranchisement through peaceful campaigning.

All too often women are erased from the annals of history and their achievements undiscovered and unknown. It really is HIStory not HERstory.

When it comes to celebrating women through public art and statues, this underrepresentation continues with very few towns and cities playing host to public statues of women.

There are the statues of female royals — their status achieved by virtue of birth not effort. Nymphs and nudes can also feature — again women are not being noted for their endeavours.

Middlesbrough is no different to many other cities. There is the allegorical scales of justice outside of the law courts, showing a woman separating two squabbling toddlers. But there is not one public monument of a notable women from, or who played a part in, Middlesbrough’s rich history.

The Eighth Plinth campaign aims to change that. Over a year ago, wandering through the centre and parks, I counted seven male statues — hence the Eighth Plinth moniker.

Since then, however, an eighth male statue has been erected. The Eighth Plinth title remains, a reminder of the imbalance and male heavy status quo.

A public vote chose Ellen Wilkinson, Labour MP for Middlesbrough East from 1924-31 as the woman to be set in stone. Other shortlisted women included Mary Jaques, who created the first cottage hospital in Middlesbrough, and Alice Schofield Coates, eminent suffragist and the first woman elected to Middlesbrough Council.

Upon election, Wilkinson was the only female Labour MP at a time when many women were still unable to vote and be part of the democratic process.

In her maiden speech she said: “The present franchise law, by disenfranchising women between 21 and 30 years of age, definitely cuts out a very important class of women who badly need the protection of this House.

“The period between 21 to 30 years of age is the period when working-class women are engaged in industry. There is a definitely indirect effect that comes from their disenfranchisement.”

“There is more to worry about than statues,” I hear frequently. Well of course there is, but this is about far more than a statue. It is about not only recognising women — it is about celebrating them and showing our generation of girls, and boys, that there are women from all walks of life to look up to, emulate, learn from and disagree with — but they have to know who they are to do that.

“I’ve never heard of any of these women,” is another refrain I face. That brief sentence sums up why the Eighth Plinth is so badly needed. You should know who these women are and the fact you don’t says speaks volumes about the male-dominated narrative.

Fundraising is underway to fund the statue which, subject to planning approval, will stand proudly in the centre, civic space.

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald backs the campaign. He says: “It has always been ridiculous that 50 per cent of the population were given less credence and paid less attention simply because of their gender.

“We’ve made great strides in redressing such gross injustice and imbalance in recent decades but we still have a long way to go.

“Ideas like this make a major contribution to correcting perceptions of significant contributions to our shared past and I am 100 per cent supportive.”

Manchester too, will soon have a non-royal female statue. Sculptor Hazel Reeves is currently working on a statue of Emmeline Pankhurst which will be unveiled in St Peter’s Square in December.

Woman by woman, statue by statue, plaque by plaque, we are changing the discourse and telling HERstory. Let’s keep those conversations going.

You can read more about the Eighth Plinth campaign at eighthplinth.com.

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today