In 2028 it will be 100 years since women were granted the right to vote on equal terms with men.
Although some women were granted the right to vote in 1918, it was not until 1928 that all women over the age of 21 were granted the vote regardless of their occupation, wealth or ownership of property.
To mark this hugely significant milestone a Council motion has been set out to recognise and celebrate this moment in history.
It is no secret that Manchester played a huge part in the Women’s Suffrage movement. The Pankhurst name is known across the globe and is a byword for resilience and a refusal to give in to apparent insurmountable odds.
In 2018 a statue of Emmeline Pankhurst was proudly installed in St Peter’s Square and has since become a rallying point for people across the city to have their voices heard, and acts as a powerful reminder that history was made by women who refused to give up.
But the Pankhursts were also joined by thousands of ordinary Mancunian women whose names have been lost to history, but whose legacy still lives on a century later.
A petition has been started to encourage the government to establish a £10m fund to celebrate the 1928 centenary.
If funding could be secured the Council would suggest a number of Mancunian woman who have left their mark on our city, and who are more than worthy of recognition.
They include Louise da-Cacodia, the anti-racism campaigner from Moss Side, Ellen Wilkinson, from Ardwick, the former City Councillor and leader of the 1936 Jarrow March and Emily Williamson, who founded what is now the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds at her home in Didsbury.
Councillor Andrew Simcock, who proposed this motion, said: “It’s often said that in this country there are more statues of men names John than there are of women. There are more statues of animals than there are of women.
“Up until the installation of the Emmeline Pankhurst statue in 2018 there was only a single other female statue in our city and that was of Queen Victoria. This shows that we still have a long way to go in our fight for equal recognition.
“I, alongside my fellow councillors am proud to submit this motion so that we – as a united Council – can continue our efforts to elevate the stories and experiences of the women who have defined Manchester.”
Councillor Angeliki Stogia, said: “This centenary should be an opportunity for us to commemorate women properly. Let’s put their names and stories where future generations can see them. Let’s celebrate the women whose contributions have been overlooked.
“But let us also use 2028 centenary to look forward. Let this fund inspire young women into leadership. Let it strengthen women’s organisations in our communities. Let it create opportunities for women and girls to shape the future of their city.
“Because the most powerful thing we can do is not simply tell young women about the women who changed Manchester before them. It is to help create the moment when a young woman discovers that she can change her city too.”
Cllr Ghazala Sadiq, said: “As Lead Member for Women and Girls, I believe this centenary is an opportunity to inspire the next generation. When young women and girls see themselves reflected in the stories we choose to celebrate, they see what is possible.
“One hundred years ago women secured an equal voice in our democracy. Let us honour that achievement, celebrate those who made it possible, and ensure their legacy continues to inspire generations to come.”
The motion was seconded by Cllr Angelikia Stogia, and supported by Cllrs Azra Ali, Tracey Rawlins, Suzanne Richards and Ghazala Sadiq.
It was passed unanimously with the support of Labour, Green, Liberal Democrat and Reform Councillors.