Dame Ethel Smyth Statue Unveiled in Woking
Last updated 9th Mar 2022
A statue of Dame Ethel Smyth, a former Woking resident and leading suffragette has been unveiled in Woking Town Centre to celebrate International Women's Day.
Invited guests and distant relatives of Dame Ethel were joined by the Mayor of Woking, Councillor Liam Lyons, artist Christine Charlesworth, councillors and academics to celebrate the life of Dame Ethel and her achievements.
The statue was unveiled after a performance from the local Intergenerational Music Making Choir, who performed "March of the Woman", a song originally composed by Dame Ethel.
Local artist Christine Charlesworth was responsible for designing and making the intricately designed sculpture.
She explained:
“Ethel stands, wearing her usual tweed skirt, enthusiastically conducting passers-by with her over-sized baton, as presented to her at the Royal Albert Hall by Emeline Pankhurst.
“Her jacket is half open, her arms are beating out the time and her eyes are full of concentration as she battles with her hearing loss, which went completely in her 50’s.
“Also detailed in her pocket is a sheaf of paper which could be ideas for a new opera, or maybe notes for a new book, as well as sketches and polemical essays.”
Dame Ethel Smyth lived in Hook Heath in Woking from 1910 until her death in 1944. She was a respected author, publishing ten books in her lifetime, as well as a sportswoman, composer and suffragette.
She utilised her skills as a golfer and cricketer by training Emeline Pankhurst and other suffragettes to throw stones, as well as opening up her home in Woking as a 'safe house'.
Cllr Ayesha Azad, Leader of the Council, said: “I am extremely proud to commemorate Dame Ethel’s positive work towards women’s rights by unveiling this beautiful sculpture, which will remain a permanent fixture in Woking.
“This tribute reflects our combined commitment to equality and will stand tall in the newly pedestrianised Dukes Plaza for generations to come. Dame Ethel’s extraordinary achievements on women’s equality remains just as influential today and it did almost 100 years ago.
“The legacy of her actions and achievements are an inspiration to our community and women across the world. It is a pleasure to be able to honour her life in this way. I invite Woking residents to come and see the larger-of-life statue and be inspired.”
Dame Ethel's statue joins the public art in the town, including cricket heroes Eric and Alex Bedser, and Team GB Paralympian Ade Adepitan MBE (also created by Christine Charlesworth).