Callout to Plymouth Schools to join march to celebrate 100 years of women in Parliament

A GROWING crowd of Plymouth pupils are pledging to join an historic march from the city centre to the Nancy Astor Statue unveiling on the city's famous Hoe later this year.

The event is being organised by Plymouth College students who are inviting all local secondary schools to join them the 28th of November for the unveiling of the first statue of the first woman to take her seat in Parliament.

The unveiling will take place at 1:00pm to mark 100 years of women in Parliament

“It will be a spectacular event that will be truly inspirational, especially for the young women of our city,” said Ann Chubb, History Teacher and march organiser.

“Lady Astor changed the course of history by becoming the first woman to take her seat in the House of Commons after she was elected MP for Plymouth Sutton in November 1919.

“Her historic achievement paved the way for the fairer democracy we see in Britain today. The Lady Astor statue will commemorate this momentous event and celebrate 100 years since the first woman walked the corridors of power, representing the men, women and children of Plymouth.

“Plymouth College is delighted to have been involved in the Lady Astor Statue Appeal this year, giving pupils the chance to be a part of the history of Plymouth and celebrate 100 years of women in parliament in the city that made it happen.”

Within just a few days of the event being announced a number of local schools have already expressed their enthusiasm for the march, including Notre Dame, Scott College, Tor Bridge High, Torpoint Community College, Tavistock College, Sir John Hunt Community Sports College, All Saints Academy and Devonport High School for Girls. 

There will be a meeting in September for representatives from all schools who would like to be involved.

If your school would be interested in taking part, please contact: achubb@plymouthcollege.com to express your interest and for more information about the event.
Alexis Bowater, Project Lead of the Nancy Astor Statue Appeal, said: "100 years ago the people of Plymouth pivoted western democracy on its head by voting in the first female MP to take her seat in the House of Commons. It paved the way for the freedoms, equality and democracy that we enjoy today and is inspirational not only to women all over the world but to new generations of young women who can see that it is possible to smash through barriers to equality. When Nancy Astor walked into the House of Commons she went through a door none of us will ever have to go back through - and she left it wide open behind her for all to come.

“Let us work together to create a fantastic event to commemorate an incredible lady and show the young people of our city that the sky is the limit.”