Blue plaques for women installed after campaign.
Three blue plaques honouring neglected women from Chichester’s past are being unveiled after protesters spotted a disparity in the attention afforded to distinguished men.
Chichester City Council approved plaques honouring 17th-century Quaker Marjorie Wilkinson, 18th-century poet Charlotte Smith, and Queen Elizabeth I.
Francesca Tambling of the Chichester Women’s History Group said members were “thrilled” the plaques had been granted, adding: “Until a few years ago, there was only one plaque for a woman and about 20 for men.”
She stated that in 2018, during the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, she requested a plaque for suffragist Muriel Matters but was denied.
‘Statues of women needed’
“She was one of the first women to speak in parliament,” Tambling explained. “She went up on an airship and threw out pamphlets.” I mean, she’s an incredible woman, but they said no, so this laid down the gauntlet.”
In its campaign for greater recognition for women, the history group compiled a list of perhaps 45 other noteworthy Chichester women.
Tambling said the group also wants to see more sculptures of women throughout the city, adding, “There are about nine or ten statues of men but none of a named woman.”
The unveiling on Friday will be attended by novelist Kate Mosse, MP Jess Brown-Fuller, Chichester Mayor Councillor Sean McHale, and a town crier.
Getty ImagesWilkinson held Quaker meetings in her home when non-Anglican worship was prohibited, according to Tambling. “They were illegal,” she claimed.
“They used to get raided by the local youths and informers, and Marjorie carried on preaching.”She complained about the harassment they were receiving, so they imprisoned her for two years in Horsham.”
Smith, who grew up in Chichester and wrote in the 1800s, had 13 children, Tambling explained.
She stated that she believed nine of the author’s children survived, adding, “I don’t know how women coped.”
She stated Smith had an abusive husband, whom she subsequently divorced, and went on to work for a living, but nevertheless attained reputation as a poet and became a key influence on others.
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Tambling stated that Queen Elizabeth I paid a visit to the city in 1591 and is believed to have conducted audiences at the cathedral.
She went on: “The venue where the plaque is, is still an Elizabethan building, which is fantastic.”
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