Hat’s way to honour struggle of suffragettes
An art student from Cowie has assembled an intricate headpiece to commemorate women’s struggle for the vote.
Chandelle Waugh was inspired by suffragette Emily Davison who died after throwing herself in front of the King’s horse at the Epsom Derby in June 1913.
The 20-year-old will also take the headpiece, which uses actual horse hair and a horse’s mane, to this year’s Epsom Derby to highlight the campaign for women’s suffrage one hundred years on.
Chandelle said: “I feel strongly that it is important to commemorate those courageous women like Emily Davison who fought for women’s right to vote.”
The headpiece represents the King’s horse Anmer which hit Emily Davison of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) when she walked onto the track during the race.
It took former Bannockburn High School pupil Chandelle 10 weeks to put the work together.
Chandelle added: “The racing season is now upon us. I want to take this piece to Epsom Ladies Day as this was the race that Emily Davison performed her courageous act in 1913 for the Suffragette cause.
“It is a perfect venue to start a conversation with women, and young women in particular, that the battle for equality is not over even after 100 years.
“The horsehead piece, I hope, will remind women today of the bravery and commitment of those women early last century and in turn inspire them to keep on fighting for equality.”
In 1918, the Representation of the People Act was passed, which gave the vote to all men and women over the age of 30 who met minimum property qualifications.
However, it was not until 1928 that all women over the age of 21 got the vote.
Chandelle, currently studying at HND level at the Forth Valley College campus in Stirling, has just been accepted to complete a degree in sculpture and environmental art at Glasgow School of Art.
She said: “I’m ecstatic at being accepted for Glasgow School of Art, not only that but into third year which is incredibly difficult to achieve.
“I have been given an incredible opportunity to really push myself to become an exhibiting artist.”