Gazing up at this bronze figure, can you feel the energy radiating from her? This is Rise up, Women, a statue of Emmeline Pankhurst, the very heart of the suffragette movement. Rise up, Women is more than just a statue. It’s a symbol of defiance, a testament to the unwavering spirit of those who fought tirelessly for women’s right to vote. Emmeline Pankhurst stands here, not in quiet contemplation, but in the midst of action. She’s perched atop a chair, captured mid-speech, rallying the people of Manchester to her cause.
The year is around 1908. The suffragettes, frustrated by empty promises and political maneuvering, have taken to the streets. The fight is no longer confined to the halls of power. It’s happening right here, in the bustling squares and streets of Manchester. Emmeline Pankhurst, a diminutive figure at just five feet tall, commands attention from her makeshift podium. She’s urging women to rise up, to demand their rightful place in the political landscape. This statue isn’t just about Emmeline Pankhurst. It’s about the countless women who joined her in this struggle, the women who marched, who protested, who endured hardship and imprisonment for their beliefs.
Rise up, Women was unveiled in 2018, a century after the first British women cast their votes. It stands in St. Peter’s Square, the first statue of a woman to grace Manchester in over a hundred years. The statue is surrounded by the Pankhurst Meeting Circle, a space designed for gathering and discussion, a fitting tribute to the movement that fought for a voice in public life. The sculptor, Hazel Reeves, has captured Emmeline’s fiery spirit, her unwavering determination. You can almost hear the echoes of her voice ringing through the square.
Before the statue was commissioned, a long list of twenty inspiring Manchester women was compiled. Names like Margaret Ashton, the first female city councillor, and Lydia Becker, the suffragist and scientist, were considered. But ultimately, the public voted overwhelmingly for Emmeline Pankhurst, recognizing her pivotal role in the fight for suffrage. Look closely at the statue. Notice the detail in her clothing, the intensity in her gaze. Imagine the crowds gathered around her, listening to her impassioned words. Feel the energy of that moment, the sense of hope and defiance.
Rise up, Women is a powerful reminder of the battles fought and won, a symbol of the courage and determination of the women who changed the course of history. As you leave this square, carry with you the spirit of Emmeline Pankhurst, a reminder that even the smallest among us can achieve great things when we rise up and fight for what we believe in.