In today's episode, Tom and Emily Merry explore the lives of several monumental Welsh women whose contributions to history are finally being recognised in bronze. This is part 1 of 2. 

From Princess Gwenllian, the 12th century warrior princess, to the modern-day campaign to commemorate her, this episode explores why representation in public spaces matters and how the Monumental Welsh Women project is changing the landscape of Wales.

Tom speaks with Helen Molyneux, a key organiser for the Monumental Welsh Women, about the journey to create five statues of five Welsh women in five years. 

In Part 1, Emily and Tom discuss Betty Campbell, Wales' first Black headteacher; Lady Rhondda, the militant suffragette and businesswoman and Elaine Morgan, the screenwriter who challenged evolutionary theory. 

In Part 2, which follows later this week, Tom and Emily will discuss Elizabeth Andrews, the socialist activist who fought for miners' wives; and Cranogwen, the master mariner, poet and preacher who declared "gender difference is nothing in the world."

With only one statue left to complete the original mission, this episode celebrates the women who educated, agitated, organised, and changed Wales forever.

Find out more about the Monumental Welsh Women project and support the completion of Elizabeth Andrews' statue: https://monumentalwelshwomen.com/

Support the petition for a statue of Princess Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd on the Senedd's petition website.

Keep up to date with Tom's work via his Substack: https://tomspare.substack.com/

Get the latest news on the podcast via the Spare a Thought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spareathoughtmedia/

You can listen to all previous episodes wherever you get your podcasts from or head to: https://spareathought.podbean.com/

Spare a Thought is a Be the change. Media Network production.

The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.