2018 is the centenary of the first women gaining the right to vote in the UK. Yet 100 years on, we are still fighting for gender equality. The Pankhurst Centre – which houses the UK’s only museum dedicated to the suffrage movement as well as Manchester Women’s Aid – sees the social injustice still faced by women every single day, and is in dire need of investment.   

The Women’s Social and Political Union was founded in the former home of Emmeline Pankhurst at 60-62 Nelson Street, Manchester, now The Pankhurst Centre. This is the real building where a historical event happened that defined a pivotal change in our ideas of citizenship. Emmeline was a single parent at the time, she had a part-time job, and she started a revolutionary movement. This is an inspirational story that needs to be told, yet the Museum is currently staffed by volunteers and receives no public funding, instead relying on donations. 

It will take more than £3m to transform the Centre into an enhanced museum attraction with space for school groups to learn about the suffragettes - and ensure a permanent home for the suffragette legacy. We are making our application this year, but to secure the funding we need to demonstrate we have the support of people who believe that the story of women’s suffrage needs to be told and remembered.   

Together, in 2018, we can bring about the change in fortunes that the Centre needs. By supporting us during the centenary year, you will help to secure the future of 60-62 Nelson Street, to ensure that we can continue to tackle gender equality, and that the powerful story of the women who won the vote continues to inspire and empower generations to come.  

A big thank you to Marble Brewery for sponsoring this campaign!