Campaigners behind a project to celebrate Scotland’s forgotten heroines want to hear from women across Courier Country.
The Scotswummin project will see 40 young people investigate influential and potentially unnoticed women in their communities from both the past and present.
Launched by YouthLink Scotland and funded by the Heritage Lottery, the aim of the campaign is to build a picture of women in Scotland who have shaped the nation.
The project wants to hear from folk across Tayside and Fife about the achievements of women locally and nationally – from all walks of life – and sign a pledge for equality.
A spokeswoman for the #scotswummin project said: “From the discovery of the Falkirk urban legend ‘Granny’ to a mother and daughter team raising international development funding, our aim is build a picture of the women in Scotland that have shaped our nation.
“It would be fantastic to hear about girls and women in Courier Country who have made, or are making, an impact in their communities.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already lent her support to the campaign.
She said: “Women have made an enormous contribution across medicine, arts, law – every walk of life – and it’s really important that we celebrate these achievements, for their own sake but also to inspire the next generation.
“I am a huge supporter of the #scotswummin campaign that is being led by young people because it’s so important that we give women and young girls the same opportunities in life as men and young boys.
“Equality across all areas of society is a real passion of mine and I hope that we see greater progress towards genuine equality in all walks in life.”
Julia Doroszko and Amy Rose Lumsden, both aged 14, are involved in Falkirk Council’s #scotswummin project.
“We didn’t know about any women in the town who’ve made history, so interviewing local people for #scotswummin is an eye-opening experience,” said Julia.
“It’s amazing the stories we’re hearing about strong, influential women like ‘Granny Mackay’, a forgotten lady who helped deliver hundreds of babies during the 1920s.
“We’re going to make it our #scotswummin mission to discover and celebrate her legacy.
“We hope people from across Scotland will get behind the campaign and tell their local stories.”
Lisa Gallacher of YouthLink Scotland said: “There has been very little research or importance put on the many women in Scotland who have shaped our nation.
“This project is an exciting opportunity to uncover the stories of fascinating women and celebrate their contribution to society.
“It’s important we empower our young women today with a renewed understanding of feminism and equality, something the youth work sector has a proud history of in Scotland.”
As part of the Heritage Lottery £91,300 grant, YouthLink Scotland will also examine youth work’s contribution to the Women’s Movement since 1850.
The final heritage report will be launched at an exhibition at Glasgow Women’s Library on August 4, 2017.
To get involved in the project, see www.scotswummin.org
And women from Dundee, Perthshire, Fife and Angus can get in touch with gritchie@thecourier.co.uk
