06 August 2015

POSTER GALLERY: A Tribute to Women

21 years ago marks the first celebration of National Women’s Day in South Africa. On August 9th, 1956 women petitioned in the national march against pass laws in South Africa requiring all African persons to carry documents permitting entrance into white-only areas. Not only was this an additional restriction for Africans but a further oppression on women in South Africa. National Women’s Day commemorates this event and the strength, bravery, and sisterhood of women of all colors and walks of life in South Africa. This gallery is a collection of posters to reflect on the struggle for justice women faced and the courage and pride that carries into today.

Offset litho poster, issued by the African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL), date unknown. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_1583Offset litho poster, issued by the United Nations Centre Against Apartheid. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_0641Offset litho poster, issued by Stichting Malibongwe, January 1991. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_0968Offset litho poster, issued by the African National Congress (ANC), date unknown. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_4560Offset litho poster issued by the African National Congress Women's league (ANCWL), date unknown. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_0582Silkscreened poster produced by the Medu Art Ensemble in 1981. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_2618Offset litho poster, source and date unknown. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_3508Offset litho poster, issued by the International Defence and Aid Fund, date unknown. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_4509

See inventory for the SAHA Poster collection (AL2446)

Learn more about SAHA publications and products that relate to women in the struggle:

Visit the SAHA online exhibition 'Women hold up half the sky: commemorating women in the struggle"

Download a copy of the educator's guide to the exhibition

Visit the SAHA / Sunday Times Heritage Project site to learn more about Lilian Ngoyi, Cissie Gool, Bessie Head, Ingrid Jonker and others

Visit the Voices from our Past publication page to download a radio documentary on the Women's March