TWO statues depicting East Lothian’s important and pioneering women were adorned with purple sashes to mark International Women’s Day.

Both the Jackie Crookston memorial, on Tranent’s Civic Square, and Athena, the statue in honour of the falsely accused ‘witches’ executed in Prestonpans, were graced with the #GenerationEqual sashes last Friday and throughout the weekend, ahead of International Women’s Day last Sunday.

Working in partnership, local authorities, councillors, site owners throughout Scotland, and the First Minister’s national advisory council on women and girls (NACWG) staged the progressive initiative to highlight the scarcity of statues celebrating women in history, and their society-changing accomplishments, driving forward the gender equality movement.

Supporting the #GenerationEqual movement was Councillor Fiona O’Donnell, chairwoman of East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership.

The Preston Seton Gosford ward member said: “This event helps to focus attention on notable women across Scotland whose actions have inspired future generations.

“I would like to pay tribute to the Fa’side Women’s and Girls Group, who have done so much in recent years working with local young people to break down gender and racial barriers in society.

“The story of Jackie Crookston inspired a remarkable group of Tranent school pupils, who used her as an example of a local defender of human rights at a UN global discussion on children’s human rights defenders in Geneva in 2018.

“We should re-commit not just on this special day but all through the year to ensure that our daughters and granddaughters live their lives free from discrimination and able to contribute all that they can to our

society.”

A sculpture recognising Jackie Crookston’s sacrifice in the Massacre of Tranent – when Crookston and others protesting conscription into a militia were slaughtered by soldiers in the town and the nearby countryside – was unveiled in Tranent’s Civic Square in 1995.

Of the 828 statues recorded in the whole of the UK, only 174 of them are female – about one in five.

Coinciding with Women’s History Month, the annual month-long celebration which highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society, the NACWG is calling on members of the public to nominate modern day women who deserve to be recognised with a statue of their own, using the hashtag #GenerationEqual on social media.

Louise Macdonald, NACWG co-chair, said: “We want to encourage conversation around societal change, challenge this underrepresentation and make women’s contributions to society more visible – especially those facing multiple discrimination – in politics, in sport, on boards, and even in the street.

“With so many inspiring accomplishments all too often overlooked, it’s time we paid homage to these amazing women making a difference in today’s society.

“We hope this activity inspires people of all age, race, gender, religion and belief to join the conversation.”

The statue of Athena, the Ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and learning, was unveiled in late 2011 at the Athena Grange housing development west of Prestonpans Railway Station.

It was commissioned by Stewart Milne Homes and created by famed sculptor Andy Scott. It honours the women of Prestonpans who were accused of witchcraft in the 16th century.

A series of events marking IWD also took place, including an evening with live music and food in St Martin’s Parish Community Hall in Tranent, as well as Wummin’s Walkin’ Fitba, which was run by Fa’side Women’s Group and Hibernian FC.