Council supports International Women’s Day
Wakefield Council is
calling on women to ensure they are registered to vote on International Women’s
Day (8 March) as it holds an event to celebrate Yorkshire’s first female MP,
Dame Alice Bacon CBE, and mark the 100 year anniversary of women getting the right
to vote.
Everyone is invited
to the Council’s International Women’s Day event, which takes place at
Wakefield One, from 10am – 2pm on Thursday 8 March.
Dame Alice was born in Normanton in 1909 and became Yorkshire’s first female MP
in 1945 when she was elected for Leeds North East. Rachel Reeves MP will be
delivering a talk about Dame Alice in the Library learning zone at 12noon. And
at 12.45pm a blue plaque will be unveiled in honour of Dame Alice Bacon. Local
MPs Mary Creagh and Yvette Cooper are also taking part in the event.
There will be a drama
performance by the Forgotten Women of Wakefield project, and films to bring
Dame Alice Bacon’s story to life. Visitors can also ask a local poet to write a
poem for them and see it performed in the atrium of Wakefield One. People will
also have the opportunity to speak to the Council’s electoral services team for
help and support to register to vote.
Merran McRae, Wakefield Council’s Chief Executive, said: “Alice was born into a
world where she was unable to vote and became a prominent MP and campaigner for
social reform. She lived her life in the Wakefield district and this event
celebrates her inspirational achievements as part of International Women’s Day.
“The year also marks 100 years since women were able to vote. Let’s celebrate
the achievements of all the inspirational women that fought to make this
happen. Please register to vote if you haven’t already so you can use your vote
at the local elections on May 3. You can get help and advice on registering at
the event or just go online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.”
Anyone who has moved house recently, or changed other details such as their
name, may not be registered correctly. To check please call 01924 305023 or
email elections@wakefield.gov.uk
The final date to register to vote in the May elections is Tuesday 17 April.
For more information about the local elections and voting please visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/elections