Sylvia Pankhurst
Socialist, internationalist, anti-racist
The idea for a statue of Sylvia Pankhurst was born in 1988 (gasp!) when one of the now four-woman committee was near the House of Lords by the memorial to Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst. No mention of Sylvia…
Sylvia is the one who truly frightens the horses.
Expelled from the Women’s Social and Political Union by her mother and sister, Sylvia was working in the impoverished East End of London with women and children, with trade unions, and, the final straw, supporting Irish socialists James Connolly and Jim Larkin and the workers of the Dublin lock out.
Lifelong socialist Ian Walters was the sculptor of our choice. Ian died in 2006 and was described by Tony Benn as “one of the greatest sculptors of his day”. The maquette was unveiled in 2000. It is beautiful and like so much of his work, full of movement and purpose.
In 2001 we gained planning permission from Westminster Council for our chosen site on College Green opposite the Houses of Parliament but we also needed the permission of both the Commons and the Lords. The Commons granted its permission but in 2003 and again in 2004 the Lords’ smoke and mirrors Administration & Works Committee refused, its chairman saying “Sylvia Pankhurst had no connection with the Lords which could justify the choice of such a prominent site”.
Time passed…
In 2015 our Patron Lord Chris Smith approached Islington Council leader Richard Watts and political support was there for a site on Clerkenwell Green. The Green was the start of London’s first May Day march in 1890, is home to the Marx Memorial Library and is dubbed “the headquarters of republicanism, revolution and ultra-non-conformity” – an excellent resonance with Sylvia.
The Council was intending to refurbish Clerkenwell Green – turning it from almost a car park to a mostly pedestrianised community space. Consultations were carried out and plans were laid. Constant reductions in the government portion of the Council’s budget meant hard times but we were moving forward. Covid arrived and everything went into slo-mo, but now we zoom forward!
The first phase of the refurbishment of the Green will start shortly – Sylvia is part of that first phase. Planning applications are in process for Sylvia and the Green and we hope to unveil Sylvia Pankhurst in late 2022 or in 2023.
During the many years of this campaign we have organised an Annual Sylvia Pankhurst Memorial Lecture in the workers’ stately home – Wortley Hall. See the “Memorial lectures” tab for details.
We have also lost some of our strongest supporters – including three Patrons: Richard Pankhurst (Sylvia’s son), and trade unionists Baroness Brenda Dean, and Rodney Bickerstaffe. But our current Patrons fight on: Labour Peers Lord Chris Smith and Baroness Margaret Prosser, Helen Pankhurst (Sylvia’s granddaughter), Maxine Peake (actress).
 The Committee is older than it was also. But the end is in sight and we are happy to say that the statue is cast (by the Morris Singer Foundry) and waiting to be patinated. This statue will truly be a people’s statue – our sponsors are individuals, trade unions, and trade union branches, along with a couple of very welcome local authority grants. The unveiling will be a festival of everything that Sylvia stood for. All sponsors will be invited to attend and to bring their banners!
Never give up!
Philippa Clark, Mary David, Megan Dobney, Barbara Switzer
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sylviastatue

Sunday 19 September 2021 3pm at the Bread & Roses pub theatre, Clapham, London

Tickets: https://www.breadandrosestheatre.co.uk/whats-on.html#event=66988878;instance=20210919150000

Three years ago Rodney Bickerstaffe died. Rodney was an active Patron of our campaign and remembered by the Committee with great fondness and admiration. We have contributed to the website dedicated to the memory of this lovely man.

https://rodneybickerstaffe.org.uk/sylvia-pankhurst-memorial-fund

“Eckington and the First World War” by Elaine Chambers describes the impact of WW1 on this Derbyshire town and includes coverage of the speech by Sylvia that led to her prosecution at Renishaw Magistrates Court in 1918.

The campaign for a Statue to Sylvia continues to make real progress.
 
The Committee of four has been attending many events relating to the Centenary Year of limited votes for women. Our Professor, Mary Davis, author – “Sylvia Pankhurst – A life in Radical Politics” has delivered lectures. Barbara spoke to a meeting in the House of Commons on International Women’s Day, Megan delivered a talk at the University of the 3rd Age, spoke at one of the events around the unveiling of the statue of Emmeline in Manchester, me in Newcastle on IWD. Just a taster of the activity – there is more, also everyone attending trade union conferences, political gatherings, trying to be better at social media etc.
 
The annual Lecture at Wortley Hall by Dr Sheila Hanlon – Cycling for Suffragism – was very well attended by 90 people. It was a hugely interesting and very entertaining lecture. We also welcomed Pedal4Progress who cycled from the Pankhurst Centre in Manchester to Wortley Hall to coincide with the Lecture and raise funds for us. This included Clarion cyclists from London and Sisters who managed 20km and said it was more painful than childbirth! So we have some really dedicated supporters helping us.
 
Megan and Barbara visited the Foundry to see Sylvia being cast. They both said it was incredible – a feat of engineering and artistry. The artist, a young man, was hugely inspired by the story of Sylvia. And so she is almost ready. The statue needs “finishing”, patinating and then is “good to go”. So far we have met the necessary bills.

We continue fund raising to cover the cost of transportation to the site, insurance and maintenance. We have applied for funds to assist with these costs, the costs of the launch event, and to make Sylvia a “talking” statue. This is a simple process where a passerby inputs a code into their mobile phone (on a plaque by the statue) and is called back with Sylvia’s story. A great way to inform footfall through Clerkenwell Green about the causes for which Sylvia campaigned and remain relevant today.
 
Early in the year we attended an exhibition in Charing Cross Library – Sylvia and Silvio – at which Megan spoke. This was organised by the ANPI (Italian anti fascist organization) in London in which Sylvia and her partner Silvio were active in the early 1920s. It was an interesting exhibition – very informative. What was striking was the introduction by Alfio who made a film about their anti fascist activities. The library building, tucked between the Garrick Theatre and pub, was the HQ of Italian fascists in London until 1940 who wanted to be as close as possible to Westminster… it housed a restaurant and lecture rooms. Alfio said we were “reclaiming” the building by housing this exhibition. It is going to be held in the Working Class Movement Library in Manchester next year and is very well worth a visit.

Above: Sylvia and Silvio; below: Helen, Megan, Alfio

Thanks to patron Maxine Peake, on International Women’s Day at the Old Vic a bucket collection raised £1,400 after she spoke to the audience about supporting the statue campaign. Maxine introduced us to the wonderful women at The Old Vic whose production about Sylvia was amazing! Hugely entertaining, enlivening and informative. Best of all a young diverse audience (and cast) who entered into the spirit of this Hip Hop production by their vocal participation!
 
Greatly helped by patron Chris Smith, always a “first responder” to pleas for help, Tom Watson’s office put us “out there” on their social media which immediately resulted in many very welcome on line donations.
 
We want to acknowledge our Patron Helen Pankhurst – who must be exhausted! Everywhere, at everything this year – we hope you have a good rest planned Helen. Always gracious as well as tireless, Thank You for keeping Sylvia in the frame alongside your speaking out for all women who fought for the right to vote.
 
A shout out too to the Marx Memorial Library, to whom our statue will be “bustling” towards full of busyness, for their support and encouragement and also Emily Thornberry who makes time for us despite other… err… rather pressing problems as Shadow Foreign Secretary.

Finally we were very sad to hear of the death of our patron Brenda Dean. Brenda fought tirelessly for 10 years in the Lords to try and obtain their permission to erect the statue on College Green. Westminster Council approved us, the House of Commons also – but never the Lords! As the Guardian reported (Sylvia and phone tapping) Sylvia was obviously never going to find favour with the establishment! We have submitted a letter in reply trying to raise our profile – not as yet published…
 
The £90,000 we have raised has been from individuals giving us a £1 to those who are able to donate more – every single gift is valued. Trade union branches have been generous. In terms of “grants” we have received £13,000. £10,000 from the Corporation of the City of London and £3,000 from Islington whose support and commitment to raising the statue is invaluable – thank you Chris.
 
This therefore will be a “People’s” statue. We are so appreciative of everyone’s active support as for the campaign. When we thank donors we also exhort them to “Spread the Word”. Please mention our Sylvia in every conversation at every opportunity – so that she will be raised to inspire future generations about the need for vigilance to protect democracy and fight for fairness for all people.
 
Best wishes for the festive season and for Peace and Progress in 2019.
 
Barbara, Mary, Megan and Phil – The Sylvia Pankhurst Memorial Committee

We were delighted (Friday 16 March 2018) to meet with campaign donors Susanne Levin and Matthew Bell along with local MP and Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry. Also pictured is the full Committee and the Marx Memorial Library archivist

Barbara, Matthew, Susanne, Emily, Megan, Philippa, Mary, Meirian