(1934-2017)
Central Square, Cardiff, Wales, UK
No statues of Welsh women anywhere in Wales. I’m not talking about female representation. I’m sure there are angels in cemeteries or nymphs set in marble with one or two breasts tastefully displayed. But real women. Women who breathed and achieved in their home country.
In 2016 a group of women in Cardiff wanted to address this. Initially setting out to have one statue honouring a real Welsh woman, the Monumental Welsh Women (MWW) Campaign came about. Working with the Women’s Equality Network in Wales they drew up a list of 100 Welsh women to celebrate the centenary of women getting the vote in 1918. Narrowing the list to 5 it was, as democracy dictates, put to a public vote to find the one woman to be immortalised. Spearheaded by BBC broadcasts, the public chose their favourite and the winner announced in January 2019.
The response was immense, and, with so many contenders, why stop at one? And so the Campaign has set about honouring all 5 of the shortlisted women, and given themselves a target of getting all 5 in place in just 5 years. You’ve got to love a challenge.
This is how I find Betty Campbell, the first of five Welsh women. Campbell became the first black head teacher in Wales and was a champion of multiculturalism. Born in to poverty in Cardiff’s Tiger Bay (now Cardiff Bay) she faced adversity in education and as a teacher, but was determined to ensure the school curriculum included black history to fairly and accurately represent the past.
I have got in touch with Julie from MWW via the Invisible Women website which I stumbled upon during early research. It appears I am not the only one to lament the lack of female statues. The site spotlights up and coming women monuments and highlights places where they are sadly lacking. Julie agrees to meet me by Campbell and it was a real insight into commissioning, fundraising and the statue detail.
And there is a lot of detail. At the foot of the statue, Julie talks me through the children, depicted from all ages, the map of Tiger Bay, the inclusion of Campbell’s favourite books and song references and the input from Campbell’s family to ensure the teacher was captured. Touchingly, there is also a small seat so you can sit among the school children so you can immerse yourself in the piece of art. Beautiful.
Sculptor: Eve Shepherd www.eveshepherd.com
WomenstatuesUK 