The City of London Corporation Launches Women: Work and Power to Celebrate Female Achievements of Entire History

The City of London Corporation introduces Women: Work and Power’ which is a major six-month long season of over 70 events hosted in the Square Mile. It will be launched on London History Day (31 May 2018) It shows that women have contribution in many fields including politics, education, health, science, and the arts. The packed program highlights the outstanding achievements of women, both, famous and unheard of, through the ages.
The programme got its inspiration from the Mayor of London’s ‘#BehindEveryGreatCity’ campaign, which concentrates on London’s role in the women’s suffrage movement and addresses both the progress that’s been made in terms of gender equality in the last century and the issue still need to be resolved.
The events takes place in various city venues such as the Museum of London, Bishopsgate Institute, Guildhall Yard and many places. It responds to significant events and anniversaries occurring in 2018.
Graham Packham, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee,said:
“Dubbed the ‘year of women’, 2018 is an ideal time to highlight the achievements of these women, who have made a significant impact on the world, either, through pioneering legislative change or by making their mark in their chosen field.
“Some of them are famous, others, unheard of, but all of them undoubtedly worthy of being celebrated by Women: Work and Power.”
Guildhall Yard film screening on women workers’ rights
11am-5pm, 31 May, FREE
Special short film screenings of archive footage on the struggle for women workers’ rights and the Suffragette movement, with contributions from the London’s Screen Archives, London Metropolitan Archives, and the BFI. Complemented with a cheese and charcuterie market, hosted by some of London’s oldest cheese and meat producers.
Step back in time to a Victorian classroom at Guildhall Art Gallery
10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 31 May, FREE
Guildhall Art Gallery invites visitors to sit up straight, mind their manners, and enter the world of the Victorian classroom. It is a part of London History Day.
Women and Power at London Metropolitan Archives
10.30am–4pm, 31 May, FREE (booking essential)
Part of London History Day, this series of creative workshops, a document display, talks, and tours explore the themes of women and power.
Hidden women: Frame carvers of the 17th century – a special talk at Guildhall Art Gallery
2.30pm–3pm, 1 June, FREE
Gerry Alabone, Senior Conservator, National Trust, explores whether the frame from the oldest painting in Guildhall Art Gallery’s collection was carved by a woman. One of 20 paintings depicting judges after the Great Fire of London, the 17th-century frame is beautifully carved, in ‘Auricular style’.
Centenary of women’s suffrage: How the vote was won – a special talk at the Museum of London
6pm-8pm, 5 June, £5 (plus booking fee)
This part will explore the history behind the fight for the vote, this compelling talk produced by the Fawcett Society and chaired by Lord Daniel Finkelstein, reveals some of the untold stories of the Suffrage movement and the international fight for the vote.
The Nursery Theatre Presents: The Broadgate Garden Society
8pm-10pm, 8 June, FREE
London’s top female improvisers use audience stories about their grandmothers as inspiration to deliver extraordinary scenes that delve into the importance of women in society.
‘Smarter cities’ – discussion panel at the Bank of England
6pm-8pm, 14 June, £5
Led by the Fawcett Society, this discussion panel with Joanna Place, Chief Operating Officer at the Bank of England delves into the future of the workplace, with an emphasis on the implications for industries dominated by women.
Sounds Like London – the Square Mile
12.15pm-1pm and 1.15pm-2pm, 18-29 June, FREE
Performers will perform at London’s streets to deliver their renditions of great pop and rock songs from modern music history in a lunchtime series to celebrate grassroots talent and women in music.
Women: Work and Power launches with key events throughout May and June. The City of London Corporation invests more than £100m each year in all kinds of heritage and cultural activities. After the government, the BBC, and Heritage Lottery Fund it is the UK’s largest funder of cultural activities.
It is contributing to improve the Culture Mile between Farringdon and Moorgate – a multi-million-pound investment will be able to create a new cultural and creative destination for London within the next 10 to 15 years. This includes £110m funding to support the Museum of London’s move to West Smithfield and £2.5m to support the detailed business case for the proposed Centre for Music.
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