International Women’s Day 2018 and the ‘Deeds not Words’ 100 Banners project

Every year International Women’s Day is observed on the 8 March and celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women.

International Women’s Day this year is arguably more significant than ever as 2018 marks 100 years since some women in the UK were given the right to vote through the Representation of the People Act 1918. However, despite this important milestone for women’s progress, there is still an urgent need for more women at all levels of public life.

The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2018 is #PressforProgress and calls for positive gains in gender parity. During the first few months of this year, WI members have already been playing an active part in pressing for progress and celebrating women’s rights.

Representatives from WIs involved in the 'Deeds not Words' project display their banners outside the Royal Albert Hall on International Women's Day

26 WIs in and around London were involved with Digital Drama’s ‘Deeds not Words’ project which aimed to make 100 banners to commemorate the centenary of women’s suffrage. These banners were then displayed at #March4Women in London on Sunday 4 March, a celebratory women’s march organised by Care International UK.

Each WI involved had a unique story behind what inspired their banner and using their expert WI crafting skills, members created some inspiring banners to hang high at the march.

Chelsfield Evening WI

Two members of Chelsfield Evening WI hold their banner outside Downing Street

Members of Chelsfield Evening WI, based in the London borough of Bromley, researched original suffragette banners to find inspiration for their own. Building upon some of the themes of hope, change and equality within the historical suffragette banners, Chelsfield Evening WI wanted to create a banner that encompassed what epitomises women today and a representation of its members including words that symbolise the women within its WI. 

Using hand and machine embroidery, they embroidered items which represent the interests of members such as cake, tea and craft surrounded by bunting made from the traditional suffragette colours of green and purple.

Forest Hill WI Craft Group

Forest Hill WI Craft Group took part in ‘Deeds not Words’ to commemorate those strong women who fought for the vote and to remind women in 2018 to speak up and make their voice heard in society.

The group made two banners for the project. The ‘Women Use Your Vote’ banner is a reminder that for varying reasons, many women today do not used their hard won vote. The aim of the banner is to encourage women to realise their vote does count, and that they should have pride in using it as it was achieved at a great cost.

The ‘Rosa May Billinghurst’ banner was inspired by local suffragette Rosa May Billinghurst and her focused and proactive leadership under difficult personal circumstances.

Rosa May was born near Forest Hill in Lewisham, South East London (1875-1953). She had polio as a child and needed to wear leg irons, using crutches or a modified tricycle to travel around. Rosa May played a very active role in the fight for suffrage. She was imprisoned for damaging post boxes and was force fed after going on hunger strike in Holloway. After chaining herself to Buckingham Palace gates, she attended Emily Wilding Davison’s funeral procession, dressed in white. Once the Representation of the People Act 1918 was passed, she stopped her activity.

Field Dames WI

Two members of Field Dames WI with their banner at #March4Women. Photo Credit: Tonya Robinson

Field Dames WI represented three women from the past 100 years on its banner, a suffragette, a young woman and a factory worker to represent the many women that worked in manufacturing and industry in Enfield during the 1950s and 1960s.

The ‘Women Unite!’ slogan was inspired by historical protest banners as members wanted to show a bold, clear message on their banner.

Stroud Green WI

Stroud Green WI’s banner was inspired by Edith Garrud, a suffragette and ju-jitsu instructor. Stroud Green WI enjoyed being part of the ‘Deeds not Words’ project as it gave them the opportunity to do something together and learn more about the history of a key figure in the suffrage movement.  

Woolwich & Plumstead Roses WI

Woolwich & Plumstead Roses WI wanted to incorporate its logo into the banner design, but also create a design with visual impact and a more powerful message. So they tweaked their rose logo to include a fist, representing the power and influence that women have when they club together to do something good.

Members donated small scraps of fabric that had meaning to them, so even if they weren’t involved in making the banner, they still felt like they were part of the project.

Lou Thompson, Vice President of Woolwich & Plumstead Roses WI said: “we were even more proud to be marching with our banner alongside all the other ladies who took part in the 100 Banners project - and thousands of others - at the #March4Women from Parliament Square on Sunday. The atmosphere was fantastic and proof that when we women get together we can make great things happen.”

Streatham WI

Members of Streatham WI used fabric and the logo they had used for their own banner. Streatham WI’s chosen colours incidentally are purple, green and white which fitted in nicely with the suffragette colours. Streatham WI thought carefully to ensure the message on the banner reflected the different life experiences of all the members. They wanted to recognise all that has changed while voicing their frustration over the worldwide progress yet to come. 

If your WI is holding an event to celebrate International Women’s Day 2018, get in touch at pr@nfwi.org.uk or share your celebrations on social media using hashtags #InternationalWomensDay and #PressforProgress.