The theme of this year’s Women’s Day is #EachForEqual.

An equal world is an enabled world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world. IWD

The Orcadian suffragists were right there in the midst of the action to achieve not only votes for women but equality of  pay and opportunity.

A Gude Cause Maks A Strong Erm is a short award winning animated film telling the story of the Orcadian Woman’s Suffrage Society. Campaigning for women to have the right to vote took place from the latter half of the 19^th Century up to the start of the First World War. Orcadian suffragists  were part of that activism.

Researched and scripted by Fiona Grahame the animation by Martin Laird is stylised to make some reference to the world of 20th century art.  The artist Stanley Cursiter was associated with the Orcadian Woman’s Suffrage Society, having designed its banner and married Phyllis Hourston, one of its members.  The design of characters and locations was derived from period photos.

The narration by Orcadian Kim Foden is upbeat and enthusiastic. The original score by James Watson sets the perfect tempo  for  the flow of the animation.

The animation was made possible with an award from the Scottish Government’s Centenary Fund which supported projects celebrating 100 years of some women gaining the right to vote in 1918.

An educational pack is available – to receive a free copy email: fiona@theorkneynews.scot.

It is also available in Orkney Library and Archive, Kirkwall and Glasgow Women’s Library.

See also:

• Dr Mary McNeill: Orkney Hero
• The McNeills of Holm
• “A Breath of Fresh Air”: The Story of the Orcadian Suffragists