@protestsandsuffragettes

🗣💚 'I always feel a special interest in Govan and in the prosperity of its people.'  So said the mighty philanthropist Isabella Elder in 1884. ​ 🙌🏾Isabella gave generously to improve the lives of people in Govan and Glasgow. She was passionate about women’s education 👩🏻‍🎓👩‍🎓, and the health and well-being of families.  ​ 📍​In Govan alone, she funded: --> A school for Domestic Economy --> A building for the Cottage Nurses Training Home --> A Cottage Hospital --> Elder Park Library --> Elder Park ​ ⚓️In 1883 she bought a large piece of land across from what is now Fairfield Heritage/Shipyard. Her husband, John, had built it into one of the world's leading shipyards – and after his death in 1869 she ran the day-to-day operations for nine months. ​ 🌳🌱Isabella gifted the land to the people of Govan as "a public park for the use and enjoyment – for healthful recreation, music & amusements, and for no other uses or purposes whatever.” ​ 🌳 🌳🌿She named it *Elder Park* to honour her husband and father-in-law. Elder Park opened 137 years ago on 27th June 1885, and it still provides 'healthful recreation' for the people of Govan today! ​ ​🌹Her statue, in a Rose Garden in her park since 1906, was paid for by public donations. ​ ​🎨Isabella Elder will be featured in our upcoming mural in Govan –  🙏🏾 @SWG3glasgow for supporting our mural-ing. ​ ​​You can get your very own copy of our WE CAN EDIT digital poster of Isabella (which we made for our #WikipediaWorkshops) free on Wiki Commons! 👇🏾👇👇🏼 www.tinyurl.com/IsabellaElder-Govan . . . . #deargreenplace #nature #park #photography #parklife #govan #library #shipbuilding #shipyard #glasgow #philanthropist #Education #health #nurses #elderpark #elderparklibrary #womenofscotland #womenshistory #herstory #mural #art