Happy International Women’s Day 2020

March 8th is International Women's Day across the world. Did you know that here in Bedford Borough, the Women of Bedford group is working towards the aim of installing the first statue of a woman in Bedford?

The aim of the campaign is best summarised their own words, from the Women of Bedford website:

Our aim is simple - to celebrate the Women of Bedford, by installing the first public work of art in the town of a female, in recognition of the significant contribution they have made, and continue to make, to the borough in politics, the arts, business, education, health, social care and science.

Despite a wealth of strong, high-achieving women in our history, not one of the 11 existing works of public art in Bedford is of a female. This is a common theme across the country.

We have selected one of the town's most passionate advocates of women's equality - a strong and enigmatic woman who was head of the local school, a business leader, educationalist, suffragette and politician. Amy Walmsley deserves a place amongst the celebrated leaders in the town's history.

You can find out more about the project and how you can support it on the Women of Bedford website here.

Meanwhile, at the time of writing, tickets are available for the Women of Bedford's Tribute to Women Performance Showcase at the Place Theatre tonight, March 8th, which is taking place to celebrate International Women's Day and to raise funds for the project to install Bedford's first statue of a female. Tickets can be booked here.