Patrons: Maxine Peake, Baroness primarily associated with the fight for a statue for Sylvia Pankhurst Margaret Prosser, Lord Chris Smith votes for women, less well known is Committee: Philippa Clark, Professor her active involvement in other causes Mary Davis, Megan Dobney, Barbara both domestic and international. Switzer Sylvia trained as an artist. Whilst Late Patrons: Rodney Bickerstaffe, painting and thus documenting Baroness Brenda Dean, Richard working women in factories, mills and Pankhurst potteries she wrote: Patron Baroness Brenda Dean It was 20 years ago, April 1998, that the story of A Statue for Sylvia started. Patron Maxine Peake Showing some young friends around the sights of Westminster and stopping in front of the memorial, adjacent to “Mothers came to me with their wasted the House of Lords, to Emmeline and little ones. I saw starvation look at me Christabel Pankhurst and the women from patient eyes. I knew then that I who were imprisoned and force fed should never return to my art.” because of their determination to fight Sylvia was expelled from the Women’s for the right of women to vote, Sylvia Social and Political Union by her sister, Pankhurst was notably absent. Christabel, endorsed by her mother People may know about Sylvia the Emmeline and this is why she is not suffragette but perhaps be unaware represented on the memorial despite that she doesn’t feature on this also being imprisoned and force fed. memorial to the suffragettes. She wrote They were opposed to her the definitive history of the suffragette determination to improve the movement and whilst her name is conditions of the poor and her belief effective campaigning tool. These mould ready for casting. The base of were the days of letters and emails! the statue is formed of placards The site is in Clerkenwell Green in showing the campaigns for which Islington and will form part of the Sylvia worked tirelessly. The council’s refurbishment of the sculpture is full of movement – Green to make it more pedestrian- Sylvia walking forward, papers friendly and encourage more under her arm. She will be on a low people to enjoy this space. plinth (one foot high) of York stone and is a thing of beauty! Helen Pankhurst, Islington Mayor Kat Fletcher, Patron Rodney Bickerstaffe Patron Richard Pankhurst with the maquette that campaigning for women’s Davis who was writing her book It has been something of a saga – August 2018 will see the 15th rights should not be suspended “Sylvia Pankhurst, A Life in Radical we have met many obstacles – no annual Sylvia Pankhurst Memorial during the First World War. Politics”. We became enthused to doubt because Sylvia Pankhurst was Lecture given by Dr Sheila Hanlon: Sylvia lived and worked in the East campaign for a statue to Sylvia. The always a thorn in the side of the “Pedalling days: Sylvia Pankhurst End of London, campaigning with Sylvia Pankhurst Memorial Establishment. We have received a and political cycling traditions, from the East London Federation of Committee was formed, four generous donation from the Clarionettes to Suffragettes”. Suffragettes to improve the lives of women who were working together Corporation of the City of London Previous lecturers have included those living in poverty. In 1915 they in the women’s and trade union and fantastic support from Islington Richard Pankhurst, Gloria Mills, Rita demanded “that the principle of movement. Our first Patron was Council.The funds for the statue Pankhurst, Theresa Moriarty, Hester equal pay for work of equal value Richard Pankhurst, Sylvia’s son. however have largely come from Reeve and Helen Pankhurst. donations by individuals and trade shall be established throughout the The sculptor is the renowned artist, We are now seeking financial entire field of industry”. She Ian Walters – especially famed for union branches. This statue really is in the spirit of Sylvia, a people’s support so the statue may be established a nursery, food hall, the head of Mandela on London’s completed in this centenary year of employment and healthcare for South Bank and latterly his statue. We now need to raise sufficient funds to cast the statue in the first limited franchise for women. She was vociferous against sculpture of Mandela in Parliament women. racism and fascism – all issues still Square. Ian generously agreed to bronze, transport it to Clerkenwell very ‘live’ today. work with us ‘blind’ as we set about Green and ensure its maintenance. Thank you for taking the time to fundraising. We had little experience The artist at the Morris Singer read this: The Sylvia Pankhurst Concerned about the lack of Foundry has scaled up from the Memorial Committee recognition of such a significant of such an undertaking and began before social media became such an maquette, and the craftspeople at woman, we spoke to Professor Mary the foundry have prepared the Cheques should be made payable to “SERTUC (Sylvia Pankhurst)” and sent to Megan Dobney,1 Camden Hill Road, London SE19 1NX We are crowdfunding on: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ sylviastatue The campaign website is www.gn.apc.org/sylviapankhurst Find us on www.facebook.com/astatueforsylvia and follow us on Twitter @sylviastatue You can also donate on line at https://donorbox.org/a-statue-for-sylvia- Top left, the maquette is scaled up in clay. pankhurst Next the mould is made, and above the clay Contact us 01479 851 306 or 07952 771 floor of placards 451, [email protected] or [email protected].