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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Where should the second statue of Mary Wollstonecraft go? Well informed mumsnetters please suggest historically appropriate places

31 replies

stumbledin · 15/11/2020 19:19

Now that there are plans to get the statue of Mary Wollstonecraft, that was rejected by the Stoke Newington group, made - where should it go?

Ideally the tinsel fairy should be banished to some arty fart gallery or Islington Town Hall, and the second one have pride of place near the building where she set up her school for girls. But too many egos wont let this happen.

I'm asking because I realised I dont know much about her life, and hadnt realised she had live not just in London, but Wales (where?), Bath, Paris and ...

With so many knowledgeable mumsnettters where would be a prime spot?

By the second statue I mean the one by Martin Jennings that was rejected. He has designed(?) the Women of Steel statue and one of Mary Seacole. (Although I am sure there are women who have made great statues of women ... )

twitter.com/MJenningsSculpt/status/1327566067695316992

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TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 15/11/2020 20:59

Beverley in East Yorkshire. She went to school there.

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TheEndisCummings · 15/11/2020 21:11

Somers Town, near Euston, St Pancras. This is where she lived with Godwin in the Polygon, and where she died in childbirth. There is a beautiful empty tomb in the graveyard by Somers Town - family removed the remains to Bournemouth. I would so love to see a statue there. It is a also a place where justice, if not charity, is severely wanting.

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OhHolyJesus · 15/11/2020 21:14

This is a really lovely idea, I loved the alternative (with the built in bench) and didn't know it was a possibility.

I have no thoughts on the location, only wanted to say this is brilliant. I'd donate to a crowdfunder, though I realise that's what happened last time - frankly had I donated to that I'd ask for a refund!

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PlanDeRaccordement · 15/11/2020 21:17

At Buckingham Palace were she will be seen constantly.

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stumbledin · 15/11/2020 21:49

OhHolyJesus if you are interested in digging take a look at the tweet about plans!

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lionheart · 15/11/2020 21:49

@TheEndisCummings

Somers Town, near Euston, St Pancras. This is where she lived with Godwin in the Polygon, and where she died in childbirth. There is a beautiful empty tomb in the graveyard by Somers Town - family removed the remains to Bournemouth. I would so love to see a statue there. It is a also a place where justice, if not charity, is severely wanting.

Excellent choice. Does anyone know if there is a fundraiser for this?
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stumbledin · 15/11/2020 22:46

lionheart see tweet as mentioned above!

am about to google summers town

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lionheart · 16/11/2020 00:38

Thank you stumbledin.

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stumbledin · 16/11/2020 14:46

TheEndIsComing - did you mean St Pancras Old Church? I used google street view. Looks really nice.

The Polygon seems to have been pulled down, and 2 addresses where she lived in Hackney dont look very promising. Nor the Spitalfield street where she grew up.

Hope this initiative gets a lot of publicity.

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MichelleofzeResistance · 16/11/2020 14:59

That barbie monstrosity needs to be melted down or dropped in a harbour somewhere, not inflicted anywhere else, and the second statue set to replace it in that park near her home.

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Butterer · 16/11/2020 15:04

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HecatesCats · 16/11/2020 16:27

What about Spitalfields where she was born and the demographic nowadays is fairly young/on trend? An opportunity for her to reach a new generation of young women.

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HecatesCats · 16/11/2020 16:28

Not a particularly peaceful place to sit and read a book mind you, taking myself out it it...Grin

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HecatesCats · 16/11/2020 16:29

Talking!

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Butterer · 16/11/2020 16:31

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Butterer · 16/11/2020 16:31

This reply has been deleted

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ThatIsNotMyUsername · 16/11/2020 22:38

Right on top of the current ‘offering’?

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fatblackcatspaw · 17/11/2020 00:05

how about in front of the British Library? plenty of space and really why not have her intellectual thought up front ? and hadily near to her other haunts?

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Isca18 · 17/11/2020 00:35

@TheEndisCummings

Somers Town, near Euston, St Pancras. This is where she lived with Godwin in the Polygon, and where she died in childbirth. There is a beautiful empty tomb in the graveyard by Somers Town - family removed the remains to Bournemouth. I would so love to see a statue there. It is a also a place where justice, if not charity, is severely wanting.

Agreed. Somers Town was the place where Mary Wollstonecraft (mother of feminism), meeting her daughter Mary Shelley (mother of science fiction) were together for only 11days.

My daughter was so annoyed, she drew a sculpture sketch of Mary Wollstonecraft meeting her daughter Mary Shelley and poignantly seeing her work for the first time, denied to them in life.
Where should the second statue of Mary Wollstonecraft go? Well informed mumsnetters please suggest historically appropriate places
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Isca18 · 17/11/2020 00:38

Oops typo: "...Mary Wollstonecraft (mother of feminism), gave birth to her daughter Mary Shelley (mother of science fiction)..."

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Enough4me · 17/11/2020 00:41

Somers Town sounds perfect. I've donated, if everyone who feels so cheated my metal barbie does then this can be fixed.

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TheEndisCummings · 18/11/2020 17:46

The British Library is in Somers Town, but I would be loathe to put it there because it is not accessible to local people, for a host of reasons. Should be where the Polygon used to be, along Chalton street, which has wise pavements Would be a great place to sit and think. Lots of schools near here could be inspired by it too and would be an interesting talking point for the variety of communities here..

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ChattyLion · 18/11/2020 18:25

Lovely sketch!

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HecatesCats · 18/11/2020 18:51

Agree!

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stumbledin · 18/11/2020 20:05

I dont think they are going to reach the target.

Needs someone to get a campaign going with a lot more publicity.

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