In 2017 Manchester City Council decided to commission only the second statue of a woman for Manchester. They began with a public consultation to choose the subject and suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst was overwhelmingly selected. Emmeline founded the Women’s Social and Political Union from her home in South Manchester. Sculptors were then invited to design a statue of her as part of an open competition. I was shortlisted with my vision depicting Emmeline striding resolutely forward. She walks on cobbles some of which highlight significant moments in the struggle for equality and women rights. As part of the selection process we presented our maquettes to MP’s at the Palace of Westminster. One of the judges was Emmeline’s great-granddaughter Helen Pankhurst.
