Reinstate Kate Greenaway's name on CILIP illustration award, a statement by Dr Rose Roberto and Tamsin Roswell, petition creators

Changing the name of the medal and removing the association with Kate Greenaway breaks a precious chain and changes the award utterly. It effectively terminates the original award and founds a new and less significant one.

Yet again it is proposed to replace the name of an outstandingly talented woman with that of a well known rich man. Please do not do this and if Kate Greenaway is not well known use your talents to change this.

What does "branding expediency" have to do with one of the most prestigious awards for outstanding illustrators, whose namesake was a pioneering woman artist? Why should it be named after an industrialist and corporation?

"At a time when other institutions are making space for more female representation, and to promote the diversity of British art and illustration (for example Tate Britain’s recent rehang was designed to reflect boldly the contribution of female artists) this move is taking the award quite blatantly in the wrong direction."

Especially at a time when we're trying to pay attention to under-represented groups e.g. women and minorities, to take away Kate's name and replace it with Carnegie's is an atrocious and insensitive choice.

A name that should not be erased.

Renaming the medal erases history that is worth keeping.

Hi Deborah, Thank you for your support, and this is very well put! Sincerely, RR

As a librarian, and an illustrator, I urge you to retain/restore Kate Greenway's name to this medal. Although the library is a cherished institution to all, the workings of the library are often opaque to the public. This medal is immediately recognizable as supporting the best practitioners of illustration in books for children. Carnegie is already associated with libraries in the US. The Kate Greenway medal is one of the very few that valorize the accomplishments of a female practitioner. And indeed it calls to attention the many women illustrators that have no medal, and go unrecognized. Please bring back the name we have known and trusted for almost 70 years. Deborah Tint, librarian and illustrator

I confirm that Kate Greenaway's contribution to literary culture is important and should not be overlooked.

This award should reain the Kate Greenaway Medal.

Terrible loss of history and cachet.

Why????

Show some leadership CILIP, we need more awards to be named after women not more named after men. Please reconsider if you don't want more members to reconsider their membership.

This is very important!

Even after all this time, Kate Greenaway should be celebrated, not set aside.

This is a terrible decision, please don't erase women and their achievements in this way,

Please don’t replace Kate Greenaway’s name in this award with that of two men - we should be celebrating the work of this talented artist.

Please re-instate hte name of Kate Greenaway.

An insensitive and commercial sell-out.