Lego suffragette model unveiled at the University of Bristol
Hope has arrived at the Uni as part of a UK-wide tour
Last updated 18th Sep 2023
It took three people more than 170 hours to build it - and a life-sized model of a suffragette is now on display at the University of Bristol.
Hope is built out of 32,327 LEGO bricks, took 171 hours to build, and is at the Uni as part of a UK tour.
In the early 20th century, Bristol had one of the highest levels of suffrage activity outside of London.
Fast-forward to the modern day, the city's Women's Voice group, and Bristol Women's Commission - among others - continue to champion gender equality and issues which impact women and girls.
Professor Roberta Guerrina, Director of the Gender Research Centre in the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies at the University of Bristol, said: “Hope’s arrival provides an opportunity to reflect on the history of the suffrage movement, consider the current challenges faced by women and showcase the field-leading research at University of Bristol on the impact of gender inequalities on society and the economy.”
The history of Hope dates back to 2018, when the figure was commissioned by the UK Parliament - where it stood before heading on its tour around the country ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act in 2028.
The Act finally gave equal voting rights to all men and women.
Hope's presence at the University of Bristol also has strong links with the women's suffrage moment - as the institution was the first location of higher education in England to admit women on a equal basis to men.
Mary Paley was the University of Bristol's first female lecturer - she taught until 1881 at University College Bristol.
She was married to the Principal of the College, and ground-breaking economist, Alfred Marshall - who took a fee out of his salary to pay for her fee for teaching.
Between WWI and WWII, women started to play a greater role in the University, with Helen Wodehouse becoming the first female Chair, one of the first women in any British university to hold such a post.
Visitors are encouraged to share their photos with Hope using the hashtag #StandWithHope on social media.
Hope will be in the foyer of the Wills Memorial Building until 9 October as part of a UK tour.