‘Feegie Wummin’ head east and join the party
Group celebrates 100 years of women getting the right to vote
A group of women from Ferguslie Park will join thousands from across the UK this Sunday to celebrate 100 years since women were given the right to vote.
Wearing green, white or violet, the colours of the suffragette movement, the women will parade through Edinburgh, London, Cardiff and Belfast as part of Processions, a mass participation artwork.
And joining the Edinburgh event will be a group from Ferguslie Park who have been taking part in the 100 Years 100 Banners programme where 100 organisations across the UK collaborate with 100 female artists to create 100 unique banners for Processions.
The group are from Strong Women in Ferguslie Together (SWIFT), the Feegie Needlers and young women from youth groups and have been meeting in the Tannahill Centre.
They held workshops talking about issues that matter to them, the important role of women in the Ferguslie community and help them understand that their voices matter.
Artist Mandy McIntosh has been working with the women and believes the banner’s slogan ‘Feegie Wummin’, we’re a breed o oor ain’, celebrates the resilience and strength of Ferguslie women in the here and now.
She added: “We wanted to use the word ‘Feegie’ to show the public that these women think positively about their home and are extremely proud to come from Feegie Park.”
The banner features the names of women who have contributed to the wellbeing and creativity of the community.
Many of them women mentioned are relations of people working in the community today.
Carol Anderson, a community work assistant who works closely with the SWIFT group, says the women have embraced working across different generations.
“It’s been a great opportunity for the different groups to work together, sharing their knowledge and stories of the community,” she said.
Other also making banners are the STAR Project, the Disability Resource Centre and Kairos in Johnstone.
Renfrewshire Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “I’m so pleased to see the women from Ferguslie coming together to make their banner and take part in Processions.
“The banner truly tells the story of their community and you really get a sense of how proud the group are to come from Ferguslie Park, and so they should be.
“Recently, the Fer g u s l i e community has come together to make changes to their environment, and it is having a very positive effect on the people who live there.
“Local people are making Ferguslie a place to be proud of once again, and the women will further that cause by taking Ferguslie to Edinburgh to display their proud banner.
“I would encourage every women or girl, from all generations, to consider making their way to Edinburgh on Sunday for what promises to be a spectacular event.”
For more information on Processions and to register to attend, go to www.processions.co.uk