Primary school celebrates International Women's Day with unveiling of mural
09.03.2023 - 17:49
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A local school has celebrated an important historical figure with the unveiling of a stunning mural.
Cavendish Primary School in Didsbury marked International Women's Day on March 8 with a painting of Margaret Ashton, who campaigned for women's rights.
Margaret lived from 1856-1937. The school aims to inspire and educate children about her legacy and the ongoing fight for women's rights.
Ashton, who was Manchester's first female councillor and a strong advocate for social justice, suffrage, and pacifism, has strong links to the school as she laid its foundation stone.
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Headteacher of Cavendish Primary School, Jo Taylor, said: "As part of our curriculum we study the local history of Manchester and a significant part of that study is Margaret Ashton and the suffragettes.
"Margaret was the first female councillor in Manchester and she laid the foundation stones of this school, and it's the school that she opened. The Year 4's presented an assembly of who she was and what they have learned about her, including what she means to them."
The original artist of the piece was Emma Bowen. It appears in the book 'Women in Print' by Jane Bowyer. The image was created into a mural form by Russ Qubek and funded by Manchester City Council.
Ali Ronan, a historian who has expert knowledge of Margaret Ashton told the Manchester Evening News: "Ashton was a Unitarian with a strong sense of duty and a tiresome conscience.
"She was born into a wealthy mill-owning family, but she couldn't be involved in her father’s mill because she was a woman, so she shifted her energies into municipal politics and the Vote for Women campaign.
"Margaret