Manchester’s Pankhurst Trust is urging people to support its crowdfunding campaign to create a ‘Suffragette Garden’ in 2018, marking the centenary of the first women achieving the right to vote.
The garden, which will be on the site of the former home of Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, will stand both as a horticultural monument to the work of the movement for women’s equality 100 years on, and as a living sanctuary for women in need today.
The Pankhurst Trust occupies (60-62 Nelson Street) and is made up of the Pankhurst Centre, a small museum that tells the story of the fight for women’s equality, and Manchester Women’s Aid, a charity that provides housing and practical support for women fleeing abuse. The back of the building provides a unique outdoor space, giving the potential for a green lung in the heart of the city. However, the area needs a complete overhaul to transform it from a neglected and overgrown plot into a loved and cared for haven.
Bex Shindler, Fundraising and Develoment Manager for the Pankhurst Trust, says: “2018 will mark a century since the first women gained the right to vote in the UK and yet, 100 years later, this fight is still as relevant as ever, with women who are the victims of social injustice needing our help on a daily basis. The Suffragette Garden will be such an incredible legacy, not only symbolically but also practically, proving a tranquil and reflective space for women and children, many of whom have experienced great trauma within their lives. By pledging support, you will become an indelible part of the Pankhurst Centre’s story past, present and future.”
There is a long-standing connection between gardens and the suffragettes, with flowers often being worn by women within the movement to symbolically challenge the view that females could not be both feminine and political. The garden will be designed to reflect and explore this historic link to tell the story of 100 years of women’s protest.
To help make the ambitious vision for the Suffragette Garden a reality, the Pankhurst Trust has launched a Crowdfunder, which aims to raise £20,000. Those making a pledge will be recognised in different ways, from an invitation to the launch of the garden, to the addition of their name to a plaque within the design.
To find out more about the plans or to make a donation visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/plant-a-
The Suffragette Garden Crowdfunder runs until 14 December.
