PORTRAIT UNVEILED OF PAST MASTER HELEN ESMONDE
4 DECEMBER 2024
A portrait of Past Master Helen Esmonde, the first woman in six centuries to be Master of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers, was unveiled at Stationers’ Hall on Monday evening. The portrait, painted by talented young artist, Ruth Fitton, was commissioned by a group of donors led by the Immediate Past Master Tony Mash. At the ceremony, attended by the donors and Helen’s family, the IPM said, “Tonight we recognise the important step-change in the Company’s life as we celebrate the installation of our first lady Master in 2015’.
The painting of Past Master Esmonde, a former book publisher and founder of Esmonde Publishing, now hangs in the Stock Room alongside the many men to have held the highest office in the Stationers’ Company.
Helen was elected Master in 2015 and paved the way for a second woman Master, Past Master Moira Sleight, seven years later. Helen said: ‘”To take on the mantle, passed on by a succession of over 600 men, and become the first woman Master of the Stationers and Newspaper Makers, was, without doubt, an extraordinary honour and privilege.
“It was a moment I felt deeply and I knew I needed to do everything I could to show the greatest respect for the traditions of our past while being part of a vision for the future that could inspire all Stationers- men and women in equal measure.
“I may be the subject of our portrait of the first woman Master, but it must also be a symbol for the women who came before and those to follow. It signals a moment when we have moved forward together as proud Stationers, men and women.”
The Master, Paul Wilson, thanked all the members who had contributed towards the cost of the portrait and said it had successfully captured Helen’s warmth and outgoing character.