Back our hometown heroine Lady Rhondda in statue vote

The suffragette, real name Margaret Mackworth, is famous for being jailed for attempting to blow up a post box in Risca Road, Newport, as part of the campaign to give women the vote in the early 20th century. Today the site is marked with a blue plaque.

She is one of five women who could be depicted in a new statue outside Cardiff Central Station as part of the Monumental Welsh Women project.

The people of Wales are being given the opportunity to pick the winner - and the Argus is calling on our readers to cast their votes for Lady Rhondda. Cast your vote here.

The project to place a blue plague on the post box made famous by suffragette Lady Rhondda has hit the ground running.

Lady Rhondda

Editor Nicole Garnon said: "Lady Rhondda was a true Gwent heroine and, 101 years since women were first given the vote, it's about time she was celebrated as the trailblazer she was.

"We hope Argus readers get behind this and help make the statue a reality so her story will live on for generations to come."

READ MORE:

100 years of women's suffrage: Lady Rhondda who was jailed for attempting to blow up a post box

A statue could be built commemorating Newport's Lady Rhondda

WATCH the unveiling of a blue plaque in honour of Newport's 'firebrand feminist' Lady Rhondda

Newport East MP Jessica Morden and Newport West AM Jayne Bryant have also called for Lady Rhondda to win the vote.

Ms Morden said: “Born in Llanwern, Lady Rhondda was a trail blazer who dedicated her life to the pursuit of equality for women in politics and society at large. She fought a valiant campaign for women to take their seats in the House of Lords, was the first women president of the Institute of Directors and even survived the sinking of the Lusitania.

"It’s wonderful that her story is becoming more well-known, and that she has been the subject of an opera and a brilliant biography by Angela John.”

She added “Lady Rhondda once described suffrage as a ‘draught of fresh air’. The same could be said of her as an individual.

"She was a constant thorn in the side of establishment, a patriotic Welsh woman and a determined feminist ahead of her time.

"It would be great to see her work and legacy celebrated with a statute.”

 

Newport West AM Jayne Bryant and Newport East MP Jessica Morden at the postbox in Risca Road Lady Rhondda tried to blow up. Picture: christinsleyphotography.co.uk

And Ms Bryant described Lady Rhondda as "a true pioneer".

"She was a Newport suffragette who campaigned across the country for the rights we have today," she said.

"Her lifelong quest for equality led to the nickname the ‘Persistent Peeress’.

"As her biographer, Angela John says, in many different ways and over decades Lady Rhondda sought to turn the tide of public opinion in 20th century Britain."

Also on the shortlist is Elizabeth Andrews, who also played a major role in the suffrage movement, and campaigned for women to become more politically active, Wales’ first black headteacher Betty Campbell, poet Sarah Jane Rees – better known as Cranogwen – and writer Elaine Morgan.

READ MORE:

BEHIND THE HEADLINES: 100 years since women got the right to vote

Journey's End: Militant suffragette Lady Mackworth

Lady Rhondda and suffragettes celebrated in all-female Welsh National Opera show

There are no statues of any Welsh women in outdoor spaces anywhere in Wales, and Monumental Welsh Women group has been successful in securing agreement from Cardiff City Council and Welsh Government to build a new monument outside Cardiff Central Station.

Voting will open at 9.30pm tonight, Friday, January 11, and will run until Wednesday, January 16. The winner will be announced live on Wales Today on BBC One Wales on Friday, January 18.

Once the winner has been chosen an artist will be commissioned to create the statue, which will be unveiled in summer 2020.

For full details visit bbc.co.uk/HiddenHeroines