MARCH FOR SUFFRAGE CENTENARY
THOUSANDS of women took to the streets of Cardiff yesterday to celebrate 100 years since the first women got the vote and to honour the bravery that made possible so much of what we now take for granted.
The procession was based on the original suffrage movement march 110 years ago almost to the day, when 10,000 women marched through central London on a route that took them through the city to the Albert Hall.
Estimates of 10,000 taking part in the Cardiff march didn’t seem far off, as thousands of women walked together in a huge sea of colour, with many carrying elaborate banners.
All those taking part were given a scarf in purple, green or white – the Suffragette colours – creating a living version of the Suffragette flag.
They came from all over Wales, the Midlands and the West Country to honour those who, 100 years ago this year, could proudly say they fought and won the vote for the first women – it would take a decade longer for women to secure equal voting rights.
Marches were also held in London, Belfast and Edinburgh, at the same time, creating a “river of colour”.
Processions was described by organisers as a once-in-a-lifetime mass-participation artwork.
The build-up to yesterday’s multicity event saw groups of women meeting across Wales, making their own banners in the style of the women who went before them.
Over previous months, workshops had been held to get 100 official centenary banners made that were carried through the streets once again.
Jane Fulner, from Roath, Cardiff, a member of the Roath Appreciation Society, a 50-strong group of women who meet every month, said it was important to turn out.
“It’s important to celebrate the achievements of those women 100 years ago. Of course we’re aware it was only some women and not all women who got the vote then. However, it’s really important to celebrate what a huge struggle and a massive achievement it was and we’re very happy that we were able to take part,” she said.
“We realise we’ve still got a long way to go but we’re delighted to be out in force today.”
Shakeela Munir, Aalia Rahman and Safeena Aziz, also from Cardiff, were carrying a banner made by Aalia’s seven-year-old daughter Hafsa Ahmad, representing the Waulah Cymru community group.
“Waulah Cymru is a group consisting of families who were either from Waulah in Pakistan or who have now settled or were born in Cardiff,” said Aalia. “The banner represents the link to our past and it’s a tribute to our grandmothers, our mums and the part they’ve played in our lives. Cymru is obviously our birthplace and our home here, and it represents our futures. The group is around 300-strong with 80% based in Cardiff.”
She said: “It was really important to be here today.”