By Shawna Healey
A statue of Emmeline Pankhurst, Mancunian political activist and leader of the Women’s Social and Political Union, has been unveiled in St. Peter’s Square. The statue, called Our Emmeline, attracted a crowd of 6,000 people at the unveiling, including 1,000 school children.
Just visited the newly installed statue of Emmeline Pankhurst in Manchester her motto was ‘Deeds not Words’ reminds me of some amazing women fighting for change in Barrow today https://t.co/YYt4CX6A6g pic.twitter.com/rPutjYgTyb
— Michael P Cassells (@MicPetCas) December 16, 2018
Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, was also in attendance, wearing a green, white and purple sash akin to those which were worn by suffragettes and a rosette reading “rise up women”.
Emmeline Pankhurst was selected as the subject for commemoration three years ago by the public, beating out Elizabeth Gaskell, the Victorian novelist, the anti-racist campaigner Louise da-Cocodia and “Red” Ellen Wilkinson, the Labour cabinet minister and leader of the Jarrow March.
The statue was created by sculptor Hazel Reeves. Reeve’s design was picked by a group of 5,800 people online.
Helen Pankhurst, the great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst, was present at the unveiling, 100 years to the day after some women were given the vote for the first time in the UK.
Helen Pankurt said: “Our Emmeline is not only a wonderful tribute to the life and work of Emmeline Pankhurst, it is also an incredible legacy to the suffragette movement and the role of Manchester’s women in campaigning for the vote. I hope that Our Emmeline inspires all those who are now helping to continue the ongoing journey towards achieving equality.”
The statue came about following a campaign by the WoManchester Statue Project, which aims to celebrate the significant role that women have played in Manchester. They state that 16 out of 17 statues present in Manchester before the unveiling of Reeve’s statue are of men, with the exception of Queen Victoria, whose replica was unveiled in 1901 in Piccadilly Gardens.
https://twitter.com/KatieLearmonth/status/1073565177805709319
Some of those present at the unveiling carried placards, with one Twitter user, KatieLearmouth, naming one emblazoned with the slogan “Same shit different century” as her favourite.
Featured image: Isabelle Dargue A powerful new film documenting Manchester’s Lights Up movement will premiere at The Savoy Cinema on 9 March as part of International Women’s Day celebrations. Lights Up is a free, community-led event organised by Bee Pedal Ready and Station South in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, We Are Cycling UK, MCRActive,…
Featured image: David Lindsay Manchester illustrator Stanley Chow will return to the decks for a special guest vinyl DJ set at The Garden Bar in Chorlton later this month. Chow, known for his distinctive geometric minimalist portraits of figures from Manchester and wider pop culture, is returning to his roots with an exclusive free DJ…
Following the passing of iconic Stone Roses and Primal Scream Bassist Gary ‘Mani’ Mountfield, there have been growing calls for him to be immortalised in a way that reflects both his cultural impact and the deep affection shared between the musician and his home city. GRIT Studios has answered the calls from fans, announcing plans…
Featured image: Evie Peattie Often overshadowed in popular narratives by the heritage houses of Paris or Milan, London’s fashion ecosystem has long traded on creative freedom. As London Fashion Week prepares for its 42nd year, running from the 19 to 23 February, the British capital is poised to reaffirm its reputation not simply as a…
Leave a reply