The W♀Manchester Statue Project is about celebrating the significant role that women have played in the city. Until the unveiling of the Emmeline Pankhurst statue 16 out of the 17 statues in the City Centre were of men. The exception was Queen Victoria. The unveiling of this new statue will help address this inequality.

The statue of Emmeline Pankhurst was unveiled in St Peter’s Square, Manchester on Friday, 14th December 2018 – one hundred years to the day from some women voting for the first time in a British General Election. Follow this link to read more:

Emmeline Pankhurst Statue Unveiled

All twenty women on the long list for consideration made a significant contribution to Manchester and, in many cases, to the country. This website aims to showcase these women and their achievements.

From those twenty a shortlist was created and the public voted overwhelmingly for Emmeline Pankhurst.

A shortlisting competition for the sculptor saw 5,850 members of the public vote for their favourite design.

Hazel Reeves won the popular vote and was the unanimous choice of the selection panel with her ‘chair’ design: Rise Up Women.

hazel reeves emmeline pankhurst

Reeves – Pankhurst view 1 FINAL

The statue was paid for without a single penny coming from public funds in Manchester.

A limited edition of twelve 40 cm high versions of the bronze maquette were available for sale  but have sold out.

Corporate sponsors of the project were Property Alliance Group, Manchester Airport Group and the Government Equalities Office Centenary Cities Fund.

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