Behold, the only woman judged to have made an "indisputable contribution to their particular field of work" on British currency. Yes, the Queen, whose image is printed on all banknotes by dint of her birth,cheap ghd straighteners, is soon to be the only woman lauded in this way as a result of the Bank of England's plans to replace social reformer Elizabeth Fry with Winston Churchill on the ?5 note.
The wartime leader will become only the to appear on banknotes since the bank started using them to glorify eminent Britons in 1970. Out of the 15 so far, just two have been women: Fry and Florence Nightingale.
last week, outgoing Bank governor Sir Mervyn King said: "The Bank of England has, through its banknotes, a unique and rare opportunity to promote awareness of our nation's history and acknowledge the life and work of great Britons."
His final banknote decision would add Churchill to a list of such well-known figures as Sir John Houblon (the first governor of the Bank of England, but you knew that), economist Adam Smith and industrial revolutionaries Matthew Boulton and James Watt. Only Charles Darwin and Fry (on the ?10 and ?5 respectively) are lauded for achievements that do not involve money.
Are we that unsubtle as a nation that we think we should only promote awareness of our nation's financial dealings with money on our currency,ray ban pas cher? And can the great and the good of the Bank of England seriously think of no women who played a role in British history and improved the lot of their fellow men and women?
Furore over the decision has been brilliantly gathered together by The Women's Room UK, the online campaign group that launched ,cheap ghd, which had gathered 7,000 signatories as I write. As founder Caroline Criado Perez said when she launched the appeal: "These notes will change hands every hour,Finland and the Net, every minute, every second. And every time they do, the message will drive a little deeper home: women do not belong in public life C they never have,feedback and (const,chanel borse, and they never will."
The Bank of England spokeswoman emailed to reiterate the fact out that the proposed Churchill notes would not be introduced until 2016, and that a final decision had not yet been made. It takes into consideration the list of public suggestions,Do say Pick a card,ghd, however,ghd straighteners, which is .
Here's the full statement:
"The Bank has celebrated the lives of eminent British personalities on the back of its notes since 1970. It is usual practice to consider a number of candidates all of whom have been selected because of their indisputable contribution to their particular field of work, recognised with the benefit of lengthy historical perspective,hogan outlet, and about whom there exists sufficient material on which to base a banknote design. The final decision is made by the Governor but the public are able to suggest names; a list of these is kept on our website."
There are very few female names on that list,coach factory, so we thought we would hold an online poll of Guardian readers to suggest an alternative to Churchill. In my opinion, these women all merit inclusion for, in the governor's words, having "made a lasting contribution, which is universally recognised and has had enduring benefits". It isn't meant to be definitive,coach outlet, so do please add more suggestions below. Also, any suggestions as to which famous face should be turfed off to make room?