That gets my vote! Tribute to ‘forgotten’ suffragette
THE design for a statue to commemorate England’s forgotten suffragette who ‘stepped up to change the world’ has been revealed.
Oldham-born Annie Kenney was a leading force in the movement that fought for women’s right to vote in the early 20th century.
But unlike her more famous sistersin-arms Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughter Christabel, Annie’s legacy and contributions have been largely forgotten. Her jailing after confronting Sir Winston Churchill at a meeting was seen as a pivotal moment in turning the suffragettes towards radical and direct protest.
Now a new statue depicting the cotton worker, who was arrested 13 times in her efforts to get universal suffrage, will be installed on a plinth on the steps of Oldham’s old town hall.
The unveiling will take place on December 14, to commemorate the centenary of the Representation of the People Act, which saw some women get the vote.
It has been funded entirely through donations raised by the Annie Kenney Memorial Fund Committee. They have raised £24,000 and are continuing to seek to raise the remaining £6,000 to cover the total cost.
The life-like statue, designed by sculptor Denise Dutton, portrays Annie decked out in the famous ‘Votes for Women’ sash and ringing a bell.
She was the only working class woman to hold a senior position in the Women’s Social and Political Union – the group which spearheaded the campaign for universal suffrage under the banner ‘Votes for Women.’
The council is commissioning the statue and will take ownership and responsibility for maintaining it as part of the public realm within Oldham town centre.
Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon has been a passionate campaigner for the memorial, which was also backed by actress Maxine Peake.
The MP, who also chairs the Annie Kenney project, said: “Annie was an inspiring woman who stepped up to change the world. Without her and others we would not have made progress in reforming our democracy.
“So the statue is more than just an installation – it is about recognising Oldham’s contribution and telling Annie’s story to the next generation.”