A PLAQUE unveiling, a breakfast meeting in the Mayor’s parlour and a female art exhibition were among Islington’s celebrations to mark the hundredth International Women’s Day (Tuesday 8 March).

Islington Council leader Catherine West unveiled a plaque in honour of eighteenth-century writer, philosopher and advocate of women’s rights Mary Wollstonecraft at Newington Green Primary School, in Matthias Road, Newington Green.

Born on 27 April 1759 in Spitalfields, Ms Wollstonecraft is best known for writing A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792), in which she argues that women are not naturally inferior to men, and that men and women should be treated equally. Wollstonecraft also opened a school for girls in Newington Green, probably on the south-east corner, although nothing of the building remains today.

The Newington Green School choir joined the celebrations and entertained guests with a rousing performance in the nearby Newington Green Unitarian Church. And there was a celebration breakfast for local influential women and female councillors hosted by Mayor of Islington, Councillor Mouna Hamitouche.

Councillor Catherine West said: “I’m proud that we’ve been able to mark International Women’s Day in so many different ways and celebrate the achievements of women both locally and further afield. The plaque now in place in honour of Mary Wollstonecraft is a lasting memorial to her important contribution in changing society’s views on women’s rights.

“On International Women’s Day I also met with the Deputy Mayor of London, Kit Malthouse to make the case for funding for important women’s services that are under threat from Government cuts.”

An exhibition of paintings from the Mexican Women’s Art Collective is also on display in the Town Hall foyer until March 18. The pieces capture the history and culture of indigenous women and explore the relationship of women to each other.