Through 3 February 2019
People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, M3 3ER
Manchester
The People’s History Museum are celebrating 100 years of Women’s Suffrage in the UK with this fascinating, unmissable exhibition.
On 6 February 1918, the Representation of the People Act was passed, giving most men and some women in Britain the vote. This would change the lives of many working men and women, who finally had a say over who represented them in parliament.
Represent! Voices 100 Years On reflects on those who campaigned for better representation; most famously the suffragists and the militant suffragettes. Acquired by the People’s History Museum in 2017, the Manchester suffragette banner is on display for the first time in the exhibition, alongside sashes, brooches, photographs and cartoons, helping to paint a picture of what representation meant in 1918.
The exhibition also questions how far we have really come in 100 years? It gives a platform to individuals and communities, including LGBT+ youth charity The Proud Trust and Safety4Sisters, who are still fighting to make their voices heard today. Crowdsourced items, including placards from the 2017 Women’s Marches and a jumpsuit from the Sisters Uncut 2018 BAFTA protest, tell the very personal stories of today’s movements and campaigns.
Represent! Voices 100 Years On takes its inspiration from feminist zines and has been designed in collaboration with Riposte magazine.
Until Sunday 3 February.
Read more and check out the Museum’s related Represent! podcast here.