Dear all (apologies for any cross-posting)
Historic documents charting British women’s fight for the vote have been
awarded globally-recognised UNESCO Memory of the World status
A collection of valuable documents telling the story of the women’s
suffrage movement has been one of twenty items selected to represent the
outstanding heritage of the United Kingdom on the UNESCO UK Memory of
the World Register.
The selection of eight items, drawn from the archives of The Women’s
Library at London Metropolitan University, and the Parliamentary
Archives, document the history of the women’s movement from the 1860s to
the achievement of suffrage in 1929. The documents begin with the 1866
Petition which enabled John Stuart Mill to be the first person in
Parliament to call for women’s suffrage; and ends with the success of
the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act of 1928. It
contains a congratulatory letter from the Prime Minister to the leader
of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies – and founder of The
Women’s Library – Millicent Fawcett.
Chair of the Council of The Women’s Library, Laura Carstensen said:
"I am thrilled that these exceptionally significant documents have been
selected for the UNESCO Register. We are proud that many of these items
are part of our collection at The Women’s Library at London Metropolitan
University, and it is wonderful that the history of the British women’s
suffrage movement will receive international recognition."
Lord Speaker of the House of Lords, Baroness Hayman, said:
"The documents that have been inscribed today help to illustrate the
rich history held in the Parliamentary Archives. When women received the
vote on the same terms as men in 1928, it was one of the most important
events in British political history and paved the way for women to
become involved in all aspects of political life. Inclusion on the
UNESCO Register will remind people of the sacrifices and courage of the
suffragettes and I hope inspire more women to become involved and
engaged with the political process."
The UK Register is available at
www.unesco.org.uk/2011_uk_memory_of_the_world_register
Best wishes,
Sophie
--
Sophie Scott
Communications and Marketing Officer
The Women's Library
London Metropolitan University
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London E1 7NT
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Current exhibition at The Women's Library:
autres mers (other seas): Françoise Dupré
26 May to 1 October 2011, free of charge
Current foyer display:
Persona: Power of Make-Up
16 June to end of September, free of charge
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