‘Votes for women’ warrior given statue in Westminster
SHE forced Parliament to pay attention to women.
Now an unmissable tribute to Millicent Fawcett will take pride of place in Westminster.
A statue of the suffragist – who began a campaign for women’s votes in 1866 – is to be put up in Parliament Square.
She will be the first woman honoured in this way, and will stand alongside the likes of Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela. The statue will form part of celebrations to mark the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918, which first gave women the vote.
Prime Minister Theresa May said: ‘The example Millicent Fawcett set during the struggle for equality continues to inspire the battle against the burning injustices of today. Her statue will stand as a reminder of how politics only has value if it works for everyone in society.’
Sam Smethers, chief executive of women’s rights charity the Fawcett Society, said: ‘Fawcett’s contribution was great but she has been overlooked and unrecognised until now. By honouring her we also honour the wider suffrage movement.’
In 1866, Fawcett launched a mass campaign to get women the vote using peaceful methods. She worked alongside the suffragettes – who were known for using different and more militant tactics in their campaign.
Fawcett was born in Suffolk in 1847. She died in London in 1929, at the age of 82.