A second edition of 'Small Steps' Dundee Women's Trail leaflet has been launched to allow children and families to learn more about some of the notable women connected to Dundee.
Between February and April 2023, The McManus’s Creative Learning Team worked alongside Dundee Libraries and Dundee Women’s Trail to provide 92 primary 5/6 pupils from Blackness Primary school and Ancrum Road Primary School the opportunity to create a second addition of a child-friendly leaflet, based on the existing ‘Small Steps’ leaflet launched summer 2022.
The project involved the delivery and creation of a second resource to help young people investigate a further seven women from the existing Dundee Women’s Trail who have made significant contributions to society in Dundee and beyond. Included are Williamina Fleming, a leading woman astronomer of her day; Mary Slessor for her work as a missionary; Ethel Moorhead, a suffragette and known as Dundee’s finest artist of her time; Mary Lily Walker, who worked to improve living conditions for woman and children in the city; Emma Caird, who donated significant amounts of her inherited wealth to benefit the city, as well as Margaret Fairlie and Rebecca Strong, both known for their pioneering medical work.
The project was delivered through a mixture of off-site school workshops and a visit to The McManus for a tour and a hands-on printing workshop. Through portraiture, storytelling and comics, the children created and imagined what life would have been like for these women, and artwork created informed the second 'Small Steps' leaflet.
The exhibition of work created throughout this four-month project will be on show and open to the public at The Dundee Central Library from Wednesday 7th June, until Saturday 17th June. Publication of the Small Steps leaflet will be used in schools across Dundee, local libraries and the museum as a legacy from the project and educational resource for years to come.
Sharron Phin - Learning & Engagement Assistant: Communities at The McManus, said
“This has been an exciting opportunity for both services within Leisure & Culture Dundee to collaborate with Dundee Women’s Trail and help create this wonderful child-friendly version of the existing resource. The children involved, expressed how much they enjoyed having the opportunity to work alongside local artists in their classroom, learning about these influential women and how they helped shape our city. Before participating in this project, many of the participants had never visited The McManus before. It’s been incredible to watch their enthusiasm, knowledge and creativity develop throughout this project!”
Elaine Hallyburton, Libraries Service Manager (Children’s Library and Information Services) at Leisure & Culture Dundee said
“This has been a fantastic partnership project to be involved in. Huge thanks goes to Moira Foster, the artists and children who have worked so hard to bring some notable Dundee women alive to a new generation.”
Moira Foster, Chairperson for Dundee Women’s Trail, said
“We are delighted to be part of a project introducing the Dundee Women's Trail to children and families in such an innovative way. The pupils involved learn a huge amount whilst having loads of fun working with professional artists, what a great combination. This second leaflet is another triumph for The McManus’s Creative Learning Team, and Dundee Libraries.”
This project is a partnership with the Dundee Women’s Trail, Dundee School Library Service and The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum. The original Dundee Women’s Trail commemorates twenty-five pioneers, suffragettes, inventors and social reformers with informative blue plaques in and around the City Centre.
