WOMANCHESTER, an organisation geared towards marking Manchester’s heritage of gender equality, have today announced that funding has been secured to erect a statue of Emmeline Pankhurst.
The Emmeline Pankhurst Statue campaign has won the hearts of Manchester and beyond – it has also won a whopping £370,000 in funding, all of which will go towards marking the centenary of women winning the vote in 2019.
The drive for funding began in 2014, when Councillor Andrew Simcock set out to address the lack of representation of women amongst the city’s statues.
Emmeline Pankhurst was swiftly selected as a clear favourite during a public vote held in 2015.
Of six potential candidates, sculptor Hazel Reeves’ ‘Rise up, women’ shone through as the winning design – however, each of the miniature contenders were exhibited at venues across Manchester, including Manchester Art Gallery, HOME and Manchester Town Hall.
Councillor Andrew Simcock, Chair of the Emmeline Pankhurst Statue Campaign, said:
“I am delighted that the Government has agreed this very significant and substantial donation to help fund the Emmeline Pankhurst Statue project.
And here are the next 3…which is your favourite @MHSG community?! @OurEmmeline @Andrew4Didsbury #womanchester #suffragette pic.twitter.com/3WwCn9Fxvs
— Manchester High (@MHSG) February 28, 2017
“From the outset, we have been clear that no public money from Manchester City Council would go towards the statue – our next step will be to embark on a crowdfunding campaign to raise more money for the educational and future engagement aspects of the project.
The statue is set to be unveiled on Friday 14 December 2018 – the 100th anniversary of some women voting for the first time in a UK General Election.
Dr Helen Pankhurst, Great-Granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst, expressed her joy at the tribute.
“It’s fantastic that the Our Emmeline statue has received government support – Emmeline is a globally iconic figure much beloved in her home town of Manchester. She will stand guard as an enduring reminder of the struggle for the vote, beckoning us to keep going forward as we continue the journey towards gender equality.”
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