Spirited: The Digital Archive
We wanted to mark 2018, the centenary of some women winning the right to vote, with a celebration of the young people that were pivotal to movement but whose names we might not know, and use their stories to inspire a new generation of young activists.
We wanted to mark 2018, the centenary of some women winning the right to vote, with a celebration of the young people that were pivotal to movement but whose names we might not know, and use their stories to inspire a new generation of young activists.
Our Spirited exhibition was therefore designed as a positive, youth-focused celebration of gender equality, and a provocation to today’s young people to embrace the opportunities on offer to them to be the change they want to see.
As well as a physical exhibition which ran at the Portico Library in central Manchester in October and November, we commissioned a digital archive so that the stories of these remarkable young women won’t be lost again.
It is hoped that they will act as a provocation: think about what you want to be different; consider how you can challenge inequality; find your way to make positive change.
We wanted to mark this centenary year by building on our commitment to empowering young women and girls.
That’s why we’ve funded the expansion of the WOW (Women of the World) programme across the UK, as well as Fawcett’s Changemakers programme.
In addition, we have partnered with the #iwill Fund to create a £2million programme to enable girls and young women to change their communities through social action. EmpowHER aims to give young people the tools to be catalysts for change in their own communities, for the benefit of all.
We were determined to leave a legacy from our Spirited exhibition, so that young people can continue to learn about the remarkable young people it featured.
That’s why, along with its digital archive, we have also created a set of Key Stage 3 learning resources, which are available to all, free of charge.
If you’re inspired to start making change of your own, we’ve got ten simple ways to get started.
We thank:
- BBC archives
- Bishopsgate Institute
- British Film Institute
- British Library
- Museum of London
- Natalie Koffman
- National Portrait Gallery and
- The Women’s Library at LSE.
