Emmeline Pankhurst statue chosen

The winning design for Manchester City Centre's new Emmeline Pankhurst statue has been announced this morning (Tuesday 4th April).

Hazel Reeves design sees the leader of the Sufragette movement stood on a chair in St Peter's Square from International Women's Day 2019.

Hazel Reeves said:

“I feel incredibly privileged to be selected to sculpt my hero, and Manchester’s hero, Emmeline Pankhurst. There was tough competition. The response to my design has been overwhelming; Emmeline as the courageous, determined and dignified activist. In 2019 she will be back on Manchester’s streets, continuing to inspire women to rise up and demand their rights.

“This statue is long overdue, in this city with a rich history of women’s activism. We must thank Andrew Simcock, Helen Pankhurst and the Emmeline Pankhurst Statue Campaign for their vision, which is already inspiring others to make visible the amazing women that have been so important to their own towns and cities."

Andrew Simcock, Chair of the Emmeline Pankhurst Statue Campaign, said:

"I am delighted for Hazel. Since first meeting her eighteen months ago she has impressed me with her passion for women's rights and gender equality, her enthusiasm for the project and her willingness to engage in the broader educational opportunities that this project will unlock. We’ve also seen through the public voting process how much her design has touched and connected with people, which is an important part of Emmeline’s legacy.

“I am really looking forward to working with Hazel as we now turn our attention towards the next stage of the project; raising the money required for the creation of the statue.”