What’s a girl got to do to be cast in bronze?
Parliament Square is a historic London landmark, with the Westminster attraction featuring famous statues of historical figures, providing shade for tourists to eat their lunch in.
From former South African president Nelson Mandela to past British Prime Ministers: Palmeston, David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill, it seems like getting replicated in bronze is reserved for an elite few.
In fact, judging by the eleven people honoured in the square, it looks like you have to be a British prime minister or a foreign statesman to receive such an accolade – oh and be male of course.
Notice a theme there? No women – something that seems like a little more than an oversight for 2018.
And we can’t see why - a female statue would bring so many benefits – women are better at standing still for one, they also generally have better posture and not to mention if depicted in a long skirt, they would provide more shade for tourists.
Oh and of course there’s the point that a female statue would represent half of the country and honour the many women who have got us to where we are today.
Thankfully, this all changed today, with the square's first ever female statue unveiled - and it's about time!
Hundreds gathered in Parliament Square today, including Prime Ministers, Ministers and MPs to see the historic moment that a woman was introduced to the London landmark.
Two years ago, British journalist Caroline Criado-Perez launched a campaign to finally erect a female statue in the prestigious square – something that went on to get a whopping 85,000 signatures.
In September last year, the design for the statue was revealed, with artist Gillian Wearing unveiling a model of Millicent Fawcett, Suffragist and pioneer of women's rights, to stand in bronze amongst her male peers.
This sees Gillian Wearing not only create the first female statue in the square, but also become the first female artist to create one for the London landmark – and it’s about time.
The statue sees Millicent Fawcett, a leading campaigner for the women’s vote, holding a sign reading one of her most famous quotes, ‘Courage calls to courage everywhere’.
The statue will commemorate a century since the start of women’s suffrage in the UK, with Mayor of London expressing his pride.
‘As a proud feminist at City Hall, I have given Caroline’s inspired campaign my full support,’ he explained. ‘I am delighted that we have been given the go-ahead to bring the first ever statue of a woman to the centre of British democracy in Parliament Square – something which is long overdue.’
‘Now Millicent Fawcett’s statue can stand as an equal among male statues in Parliament Square,' agreed the artist.
About time!
