Where are all the women? Calls for public recognition of 'Glasgow's Forgotten Women'

Councillors will hear a plea for more recognition of Glasgow's 'Forgotten Women' in its streets as the city nears its 850th anniversary.

In 2025, Glasgow will mark the 850th year since it was granted the city’s burgh charter in 1175, with a 12-month programme of celebratory events currently being progressed.

SNP councillor, Bailie Annette Christie has put forward a motion to the meeting of the full council today calling for cross-party support for proposals recognising the “proud history of females in Glasgow’s civic and cultural life”.

Bailie Christie, who chairs Glasgow Life, said the anniversary celebrations in 2025 were the ideal opportunity to redress the imbalance in representations of female Glaswegians, including the contributions over the centuries by “forgotten women”.

Street re-naming

Proposals include the naming of some streets and public spaces during the anniversary year, street art and murals across Glasgow celebrating women, and work exploring how Glasgow better recognises the contributions of its female citizens over the longer term.

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Bailie Christie’s motion cites prominent Glaswegians including the political activists and rents strike organiser Mary Barbour, the parliamentarian Margot MacDonald, artists and designers Margaret and Frances Macdonald, pioneering virologist June Almeida and the aviator Winnie Drinkwater.

The motion states: “Council believes that there is a proud history of females in Glasgow’s civic and cultural life… and agrees that as part of Glasgow’s 850th anniversary celebrations in 2025 steps should be taken to recognise the contributions of eminent women.

The motion instructs the Council “to implement a symbolic renaming of civic spaces and selected streets in 2025; and investigate street art and murals in each ward which celebrate women and girls… and addresses the historical and democratic imbalance of women in the representation of Glasgow’s dynamic culture and heritage.”

Men dominate public spaces

Speaking on her motion, Bailie Christie, the SNP councillor for East Centre, said: “The public spaces we pass through every day are almost exclusively dedicated to men; the great, the good and sometimes the not-so-good.

“They are a constant reminder of the value society gives men. But where are the women? There’s only one statue of a woman in George Square, Queen Victoria.

“In 2025 we will mark 850 years since Glasgow became a Burgh of the Barony, providing an opportunity for the city to celebrate. In shaping the programme, we will ensure the stories of the people and communities of Glasgow are at its core, especially women and girls, and we will commit to telling their stories.

“As Glasgow works on a new City Development Plan it is important that we think about how to design more inclusive cities to reflect on the historical erasure of the women who have helped build our city, many of whom have also changed the world. Our young women need to see themselves reflected and respected throughout our city.”

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