Manchester’s Pankhurst Trust has achieved its crowdfunding target of £20,000 in a campaign supported by over 500 people to create a Suffragette Garden at the Pankhurst Centre, the former home of Emmeline Pankhurst.
The story of the suffragettes began at the Pankhurst Centre and the garden will reflect this story and be an important part of the work undertaken to mark the centenary of the first women being given the vote.
Elaine De Fries of the Pankhurst Centre says, “We are so grateful to everyone that has supported us, shared our message and got to know a little bit more about the incredible work that the Pankhurst Trust is involved in. Creating this garden is part of our ambitious plans for the Pankhurst Centre, which we want to see taking a leading role in telling the story of women’s equality. We want to inspire people, and the historical legacy of 60-62 Nelson Street 100 years after the first women were given the vote is the beginning of how we hope to do this.”
It was at a meeting she held in her home, now the Pankhurst Centre, on 10 October 1903 that Emmeline Pankhurst was to establish the Women’s Social and Political Union (WPSU), whose members and followers were to become known as suffragettes. The garden will symbolically tell the story of the suffgratte movement, which was lead by the motto Deeds not Words, and in doing so create space for visitors to its small museum to enjoy, as well as the women and children who use the building on a daily basis.
The Pankhurst Centre also houses Manchester Women’s Aid, a charity that is part of the Pankhurst Trust, which provides housing and practical support for women fleeing abuse.
The campaign doesn’t finish until 6pm on Thursday 14 December so pledges can still be made until then, all of which will go towards the garden.
To find out more about how you can support the Pankhurst Centre and get involved in its plans for 2018 email Bex Shindler viab.shindler@
