Local group raising funds for Mary Wollstonecraft statue

Just over a year ago on the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, the Newington Green Action Group started a campaign to raise a statue in honour of Mary Wollstonecraft on Newington Green.

Wollstonecraft (1759-97) was the author of the groundbreaking A Vindication of the Rights of Woman and founder of the campaign for the freedom and equality of women. As a young woman Wollstonecraft lived in nearby Newington Green where she set up a girls’ school. 

Members of the Newington Green Action Group, a registered charity set up to regenerating the local neighbourhood, realised that there is still no significant memorial to Wollstonecraft. So, in March last year they set up a fund, Mary on the Green, to raise a permanent sculpture to honour the pioneer feminist.

The campaign started in earnest on 16th November when an image of Wollstonecraft was beamed over the Thames to lighting up the Houses of Parliament.

"The Vindication was included in Melvyn Bragg's recent list of the 12 most important books of all time," Nicky Southin, a member of the Mary on the Green committee, said. "What is extraordinary about Mary's work is how topical it is. It's as relevant to us today as when she wrote it – unfortunately."

The group hope to unveil a statue in the Spring of 2013.

To find out more or make a donation, visit maryonthegreen.org.