Sin City was a name given to Aberdeen last century for its approach to abortion. That was a tabloid newspaper’s description for what was viewed at the time as Aberdeen’s more liberal stance on terminations.
Aberdeen’s reputation for being broadminded was also founded by its forward thinking approach to a wide range of other women’s health issues - it was one of the first cities in the UK to have a family planning clinic.
Now a fascinating new exhibition exploring the Aberdeen pioneers of female health – who led the way locally, nationally and internationally - opens at the University of Aberdeen’s Marsichal Museum today (Thursday, Sept 7).
Dr David Skene and Dr Alexander Gordon were two of the city’s early innovators. They focused on maternal health. Over a century and a half later, key figures included Sir Dugald and May Baird, Fenella Paton, Professor Ian MacGillivray, Dr Mary Esslemont and Dr Elizabeth MacGregor.
They all played a major role in advancing women’s health issues in a wide range of fields including family planning services, multiple birth management, sterilisation and cervical screening.
The exhibition also looks at recent developments as well as historic ones. It displays exhibits from the University’s museums and collections including an exquisite 19th century papier-mâché model of a heart showing foetal circulation, plant specimens, instruments used in abortions and rarely seen manuscripts from the University’s Special Libraries and Archives.
Exhibition curator Claire Smith said: “It is very exciting to highlight the developments in women’s health that Aberdeen has been responsible for. Work by Aberdeen researchers and practitioners has made a key difference, not only to women in the area, but also in the UK and across the world.”
Exhibition co-curator Sarah Redmond added: “There are a number of fascinating objects on display which will appeal to everyone. We have been very fortunate to have access to many that are rarely on public display, so it is a unique opportunity to see them together in this way.”
* SIN CITY is open on September 7 and runs until December 2006. Marischal Museum is located in Marischal College in the centre of Aberdeen. The museum is open Monday to Friday, 10am – 5pm and Sunday 2pm – 5pm. Entry to the museum is free.