Blue Plaque to Bertha Ryland to be unveiled

The Trustees of the Birmingham Civic Society and Birmingham Museums warmly invite you to the unveiling of a Commemorative Blue Plaque to Bertha Ryland on Friday 16 November, at 12.00pm.

In the centenary year of the Representation of the People Act, we are proud to unveil a new plaque to suffragette Bertha Ryland in Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.  On 9 June 1914 Bertha Ryland entered the museum and attacked a painting as part of the militant campaign for women’s rights. The attack took place as protests escalated across the UK with suffragettes fighting to have their voices heard. This event does not condone Bertha’s actions but honours her principles and the fight for women’s rights.  This event will give a greater insight into Birmingham’s role in the suffrage movement. Taking place in the Round Room the plaque will be revealed as part of a ceremony that features a short presentation by researcher and author Dr Nicola Gauld and dramatic performance by actress Francesca Millican-Slater.  An optional tour of a new exhibition “Women, Power, Protest” will follow with curator Emalee Beddoes-Davis.

The Blue Plaque unveiling forms part of a weekend of thought-provoking events and performances from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 November – including a women in parliament discussion with local female MPs – and is part of the programme for Women Power Protest, an Arts Council Collection National Partnership exhibition. In the anniversary year for women’s suffrage the weekend of events reflects on the progress made for women’s rights and asks just how much has changed for women today?

When: Friday 16th November 2018, 12.00pm-1.30pm
Where: The Round Room, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH
RSVP: by Wednesday 14th November 2018 to Penny Colbourne