While singing the praises of the often forgotten female emancipationists, Professor Verene Shepherd last week called for statues to be erected in honour of the women who fought alongside men to end the oppressive system of slavery.
“Where are the tangible sites of memory to our female emancipationists? Enslaved women, like men, appropriated and acted on the idea that as forced colonial subjects they had a stake in the enlightenment project of human progress,” she said. She noted that while statues have been erected to honour the men for their struggles during and post slavery, similar initiatives have not been undertaken for the women.