“From Kensington to Billingsgate one hears the restless cries! From every corner of the land: ‘Womankind, arise!’Political equality and equal rights with men! Take heart! For Missus Pankhurst has been clapped in irons again! No more the meek and mild subservients we! We’re fighting for our rights, militantly! Never you fear!” —Mrs. Banks (Mary Poppins).
I went to Parliament today and I was so impressed with the way they have incorporated the women’s movement into the modern-day tour of the building. When you first walk in to one of the oldest parts of the palace, above the doorway of St. Stephen’s hall (the hallway that leads to the entrance of the lobby, house of commons and house of lords) there is a new art piece (released in 2016) that represents the women’s suffrage movement titled: “New Dawn” by light artist Mary Branson. It is the second thing you notice after walking through Westminster Hall as your eyes go first to the huge stained glass windows and then to “New Dawn” as you make your way through the door.
I thought that the addition of this artwork into such a central place of government was a big step towards recognizing and celebrating diversity in society. So often, people wish to forget any memories of discrimination and bigotry that has occurred in the past. However, in doing so, we also forget the strength of those who fought for all we have accomplished.
“Our daughters daughters will adore us and they’ll sing in grateful chorus well done! Sister suffragette!” -Mrs. Banks (Mary Poppins)
We have come a long way from the days of Ruth Bader Ginsberg being one of a select few women at Harvard Law School, but there is more progress to be made. I think artwork like this is extremely important and shows that society values growth and progress when that art resides in a place that is so central to a government. It lives to actively remind those who represent a population that all citizens regardless of sex, race, gender or sexual orientation should be represented and remembered when policies are created. I am left hoping that the US would one day consider having a similar installation that pays homage to the American women who also fought for suffrage somewhere in Washington DC. The UK has taken an important step to increase diversity and illustrate a changing society even in a building built almost 150 years ago (the Palace of Westminster was built in 1870) The US should strive to create an installment in a central area of government that is equally meaningful and reflective of the suffragette movement to remind all Americans how important equality, freedom, and diversity have become and how valuable those things are in a society.
One of my favorite fun facts from the audio trip was the story regarding the broken spur on the boot of a statue in St. Stephens’s hall. During the suffragette movement, one woman attached herself to the leg of the statue breaking the spur. I also liked that the spur has not been mended since the incident because it will always be preserved as a reminder of her dedication. In keeping this imperfection, an important part of history remains so that women everywhere can visit this space and be reminded that the opportunities they are given in education, their careers and in walking to the polls should never be taken for granted. We must always remember the importance of equality and work to follow in the footsteps of the amazing women who created hope for a more equal future.
Check out an awesome video about the artwork and the meaning behind it here: https://www.parliament.uk/about/art-in-parliament/art-watch-and-listen/short-films/new-dawn/new-daw-the-womens-suffrage-artwork-for-parliament-part-13—prototype/
Bye for now,
Sophia
Diaries of a Dancing Queen 