Anniversary of the suffragette movement to be marked with special events

The Pankhurst Centre in Manchester has announced the first in what will be an annual series of celebrations to mark the anniversary of the founding of the suffragette movement.

It was in 1903 that Emmeline Pankhurst began the movement from her home, and it is at the Pankhurst Centre that the historical milestone will be marked, with visitors invited to take part in a series of special events throughout the month that celebrate thespirit of the suffragette movement.

Event programme

• On 8 October (5.00pm to 7.00pm) the Anne Lister and the Deviant Home talk will take place in which Dr Jill Liddington will introduce the life story of the real ‘Gentleman Jack’. The lecture will take place at the University of Manchester and follows with drinks at the Pankhurst Centre. For further information click here.

• Symbolically, a live Wikipedia Edit-a-thon will be taking place at the Pankhurst Centre on 9 October as the issue of equality on the global platform is addressed. This is a chance to take part in a workshop with The Zebra Partnership which will enable you to shine a spotlight on the women you want to see taking their place on Wikipedia. For further information see here.

• On 10 October, the 116th anniversary of the founding of the suffragette movement, the Pankhurst Centre will be hosting a special Open House celebration, including the chance to meetequalities activist Helen Pankhurst, Emmeline’s great granddaughter.  On 10 October 1987 Helen Pankhurst opened up the Pankhurst Centre as a small independent museum dedicated to telling the story of women’s suffrage and she shares the Pankhurst Trust’s vision to restore the property to its former glory and to transform the museum into one of world-class standing that is truly befitting of the legacy of the suffragettes and this building’s unique place in history.

• 10 October also includes the opportunity to see some of the incredible archive material that forms the Pankhurst Trust collection and which is not normally on public display.  The Trust’s curator Tessa Chynoweth will be chatting to visitors about the significance of the collection, which includes feminist zines and posters, and photographs from the campaign to save the building in the 1980s.

• Infamously in the early nineteeth century,operations were organised covertly by suffragettes over tea at a time when it was difficult for women to gather together outside of the home.  It is in this spirit that visitors on 10 October are invited to partake in Pankhurst Pastries and coffee in the morning and tea and cakes in the afternoon.  There will also be rousing suffragette songs to enjoy with musician Rachel Swanick from 1.30pm.  For further information click here.

• 13 October (1.00pm to 4.00pm) is a day for all the family.  enJOY Arts is inviting families to take part in Suffragette School, with the opportunity for young visitorsto earn their suffragette stripesthrough a combination of singing, dressing up and taking part in suffragette-themed fun!  HerActivist Heather Roberts will be carrying out a drop in archive workshop enabling visitors todiscover the archive material that makes the Pankhurst Centre such a special building.  And, for any cycling suffragettes, drop in bike repairs are taking place in the beautiful Suffragette Garden.  For further information visit the website.