New Dawn: Celebrating women's suffrage in Parliament

On 7 June 2016, 'New Dawn' was unveiled in Westminster Hall. The date marked the 150th anniversary of John Stuart Mill presenting the first mass women's suffrage petition to the House of Commons, to the day.

'New Dawn' is a contemporary artwork by Mary Branson celebrating the long campaign for women's suffrage (the right to vote). It draws on concepts and imagery connected with Parliament and the women's suffrage movement. Among these, the back-lit glass 'scrolls' represent the many individuals and groups involved in the votes for women movement, and incorporate the colours used by women's suffrage organisations. Of particular significance to Branson were the petitions presented to Parliament between 1866 and 1918 - more than 16,000 petitions, containing more than 3 million signatures.