Emmeline Pankhurst Statue

Emmeline Pankhurst Statue is a bronze statue of Emmeline Pankhurst, a leading figure in the British suffragette movement, located in Manchester, England, near the Manchester Town Hall and Albert Square. The statue is a tribute to Emmeline Pankhurst's contributions to the women's suffrage movement in the United Kingdom, which also involved notable figures like Christabel Pankhurst, Sylvia Pankhurst, and Millicent Fawcett. The statue's creation was supported by the Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and the Pankhurst Trust, among other organizations. The project was also endorsed by Harriet Harman, Diane Abbott, and other prominent British politicians.

● History

The idea of creating a statue of Emmeline Pankhurst in Manchester was first proposed by Councillor Andrew Simcock and Wendy Taylor, who were inspired by the city's rich history of social reform and feminist activism, which also involved notable figures like Elizabeth Gaskell and Charlotte Brontë. The project was later taken up by the WoManchester campaign, which aimed to increase the number of statues of women in Manchester and promote the city's feminist heritage, including its connections to the Women's Social and Political Union and the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies. The campaign was supported by historians like Helen Pankhurst, June Purvis, and Martin Pugh, who highlighted the importance of Emmeline Pankhurst's contributions to the suffragette movement and the women's rights movement in the United Kingdom. The statue's creation was also influenced by the work of other feminist artists and sculptors, such as Barbara Hepworth and Rachel Whiteread.

● Design and Construction

The statue was designed by Hazel Reeves, a British sculptor known for her public art installations, including the Mary Seacole statue in London. The design features Emmeline Pankhurst standing on a plinth, with her arms outstretched and a determined expression on her face, evoking the spirit of feminist activism and social justice that defined her life's work, including her involvement in the Women's Suffrage Procession and the Budapest Conference of the International Woman Suffrage Alliance. The statue is made of bronze and stands over 6 feet tall, making it a prominent feature of the Manchester cityscape, alongside other notable landmarks like the Manchester Cathedral and the John Rylands Library. The design was inspired by Emmeline Pankhurst's famous speeches and writings, including her book My Own Story, as well as the work of other feminist writers like Virginia Woolf and Simone de Beauvoir.

● Unveiling and Reception

The statue was unveiled on December 14, 2018, which marked the centenary of the 1918 United Kingdom general election, in which some women over 30 were granted the right to vote for the first time, thanks in part to the efforts of Emmeline Pankhurst and other suffragettes, including Nancy Astor and Eleanor Rathbone. The unveiling ceremony was attended by local dignitaries, including the Lord Mayor of Manchester and the Bishop of Manchester, as well as feminist activists and historians like Diane Atkinson and Krista Cowman. The statue received widespread media coverage, with The Guardian, The Times, and BBC News all featuring articles about the unveiling, which highlighted the significance of Emmeline Pankhurst's legacy and the ongoing struggle for women's rights and gender equality in the United Kingdom and around the world.

● Location and Significance

The statue is located in St Peter's Square, Manchester, near the Manchester Town Hall and Albert Square, which is a hub of civic activity and public protest, including the Peterloo Massacre and the Anti-Apartheid Movement. The location was chosen because of its historical significance and its proximity to other notable landmarks, such as the Manchester Art Gallery and the John Rylands Library, which house important collections related to feminist history and social reform, including the Pankhurst Papers and the Suffragette Archive. The statue is also close to the University of Manchester, which has a strong feminist research program and a Centre for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality, which has hosted events and exhibitions on Emmeline Pankhurst and the suffragette movement, including a conference on The Pankhursts and the Suffragette Movement.

● Conservation and Management

The statue is managed by the Manchester City Council, which is responsible for its maintenance and upkeep, including regular cleaning and conservation work to ensure the statue remains in good condition, similar to other notable public monuments in Manchester, such as the Alan Turing Memorial and the Lowry Statue. The council also works with local community groups and feminist organizations to promote the statue and its significance, including the Pankhurst Trust and the Fawcett Society, which have organized events and exhibitions to celebrate Emmeline Pankhurst's legacy and the ongoing struggle for women's rights and gender equality. The statue is also protected by English Heritage, which has designated it as a Grade II listed building, recognizing its importance as a cultural landmark and a symbol of feminist activism in Manchester and beyond.