A Statue for Women and Girls who Sparked a Movement
Honouring the Matchgirls of 1888 with a permanent public monument
We are fundraising to create a permanent public statue to the Matchgirls - iconic workers whose 1888 strike helped spark modern unionism.
In 1888, young women and girl match workers in East London rebelled against dangerous conditions and injustices, and won. Their courage helped ignite modern trade unionism.
Yet there is still no permanent public statue to honour them.
We are campaigning to change that.
What We Are Raising Funds For
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A permanent public statue to the Matchgirls
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Additional plaques and memorial markers
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A Matchgirls Heritage Trail
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Education materials for schools
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A feature film
Why It Matters
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No public statue to the Matchgirls, despite their huge contribution to workers’ rights
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The Matchgirls Strike helped to lay the foundations for modern labour and union movements
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The Matchgirls were working-class women and girls and they CHANGED HISTORY​
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Public memorials shape public memory
It is time for their contribution to be made visible​​
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