Platanos pupils unveil the Millicent Fawcett statue at Parliament Square

Platanos College pupils were invited to a historical occasion yesterday at Parliament Square, Westminster.

Our pupils took part in the unveiling of the statue of suffragist Dame Millicent Fawcett at Parliament Square as part of the #BehindEveryGreatCity campaign promoting gender equality and celebrating 100 years since the 1918 Representation of the People Act gave some women the right to vote.

Alongside the Prime Minister, Theresa May, and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, our Year 10 pupil, Aminah Precious N'Gbale, was on stage to pull the cord to unveil the first female statue.

As part of the campaign and equality workshops, Platanos College pupils learned about the history of the campaign for women's suffrage, gender equality and the current challenges of the modern era.

Our pupil,  Aminah Precious N'Gbale, said: "It was an incredible moment. It was inspiring to be able to share a platform with the Prime Minister and the Mayor of London and talk to them about promoting equality in this country and the important role that young people like myself could play. It has also made me more determined than ever to make a contribution in some way after standing beside the magnificent statue of Millicent Fawcett and seeing what it represents."

Click here to read more on the BBC website (external link).

Click here for a gallery of the photos.

Click on the below to watch the video of the unveiling (on our Youtube channel).

Photos courtesy of the Greater London Authority / Caroline Teo

Posted:  25 April 2018