Significant year to culminate with unveiling of a statue of 'Our Emmeline'

Sculptor Hazel Reeves has created a statue of Emmeline Pankhurst

On Friday, December 14, exactly 100 years since the first women in the UK voted in a General Election, a statue of Emmeline Pankhurst will be unveiled in her home city of Manchester. 

This will be the climax to a year in which the city began by marking the centenary of the first women achieving the right to vote and throughout has explored its radical roots and central role in both the suffragette and suffragist movements.

That it should be a figure of Emmeline that takes her place amongst the city’s statues was a public choice and it is the public that will be at the heart of this historical unveiling. 

It will be a day that everyone is invited to participate in that will embrace, bring together and welcome all those who have supported the Our Emmeline project.

Emmeline’s great grand-daughter Helen Pankhurst had the vision this should be an occasion that sees people gather from across Greater Manchester to march to meet Our Emmeline. 

To reflect this, two symbolic meeting points have been selected; the Pankhurst Centre, the former home of Emmeline Pankhurst and the birthplace of the suffragette movement; and People’s History Museum, the national museum of democracy. 

Marchers are invited to meet at these points, or along the route, before converging at St Peter’s Square to greet Our Emmeline.

Andrew Simcock, Chair of the Emmeline Pankhurst Statue Committee, said: “Helen Pankhurst’s vision and all those involved in this project have inspired what will take place on the day; this will be a coming together of people to celebrate Emmeline and her legacy and to also celebrate the essence of Manchester, as a place of progression, inclusivity and groundbreaking ideas.”

Gail Heath, Chief Executive of the Pankhurst Trust, added: “2018 has been a year that has inspired all of us who are working to carry forward the legacy of those who have fought for equality and it will be wonderful to end the year with such a celebratory and poignant moment.”

For further information on the Emmeline Pankhurst Statue Campaign and full details on the programme and timings for December 14, visit: www.womanchesterstatue.org

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