The Suffragette Oak facts for kids
The Suffragette Oak is a Hungarian oak tree (Quercus frainetto) in Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow, Scotland. It was named Scotland's Tree of the Year in 2015.
History
The tree was planted in Kelvingrove Park by Louisa Lumsden on behalf of suffrage organisations on 20 April 1918 to commemorate women being granted the right to vote in February 1918.
The ceremony was reported in the Sunday Post as follows:
A ceremony that was probably unique in the annals of the votes for women campaign took place this afternoon in Kelvingrove Park, where a young oak tree was planted by representatives of the Glasgow Women's Suffrage Societies, in commemoration of the passing of the Representation of the People Act. There was a goodly gathering of ladies, many of whom wore the tricolour and other sashes associated with the different Suffrage Societies.
Miss Frances Melville, who presided, described the granting of the vote to women as the most important change that had taken place in the long and chequered history the British Constitution
Miss Louisa Lumsden, L.L.D., who planted the tree, referred to the noble work of the pioneers of the movement, and pleaded for the setting aside of any narrowness, pettiness, class feeling, and prejudice in connection with the consideration of political and other questions. Since the war started women had occupied an important position, and one thing they had learned was the privilege and the joy of work. (Hear hear). If woman were to desert her place now, a great many things would stand altogether, and would be very sorely missed.
“The Vote, ” declared Miss Lumsden, “is the door to everything, and the door is open. At the same time it is not wholly open, for the younger women are still excluded, but I think you can’t get Governments to go a tremendous pace; and to the younger women I would say, “Have patience and prepare yourselves, for you cannot be too good for the possible opportunities that may come in the future."
Miss Eunice Murray, prospective candidate for the Bridgeton division of the city, said the women of Glasgow were glad to think that, at the next election, they would have an opportunity of returning the person whom they thought best fitted to represent them.
A meeting was held afterward. held in Queens Rooms, where addresses were delivered by the representatives of the various Suffrage Societies.—Various, Sunday Post 21 April 1918
In October 2017 the tree was damaged during Storm Ophelia and, as a result of the damage, Glasgow City Council had to reduce its height and the canopy. The off-cuts were gifted to the Glasgow Women's Library to create items for purchase by the public that will celebrate the efforts of the suffragettes.
Awards
In 2015 the tree was named Scotland's Tree of the Year by the Woodland Trust after being nominated by Glasgow Women's Library. The award was presented to representatives from the Glasgow Women's Library at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on 27 October 2015.
The Woodland Trust nominated the Suffragette Oak for the 2016 European Tree of the Year award.
