Statue of suffragist Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy deserves a mention

Hazel Reeves’ bronze was revealed on International Women’s Day in Congleton, says Susan Munro, but where was the coverage?

I was surprised that there was no coverage in the Guardian of the unveiling of a statue of the important suffragist Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy on International Women’s Day.

The bronze statue – by the renowned artist Hazel Reeves, who also sculpted the wonderful “Our Emmeline” statue in Manchester – stands in the centre of Congleton, where Elizabeth lived for more than 50 years.

Elizabeth, in partnership with Emmeline Pankhurst, helped to form the Women’s Social and Political Union and was described by Emmeline as “the brains behind the suffrage movement”.

The statue was funded after a four-year campaign by a small group of local women, Elizabeth’s Group, who were determined to see the suffragist restored to her rightful place in history. The statue is one part of that campaign.

I have little doubt that the Guardian archives contain many letters from Elizabeth, so prolific was she. She led many successful campaigns to address the issues of her day, including girls’ education, women’s property rights, the guardianship of infants, domestic violence – and, of course, her work to achieve votes for women.
Susan Munro
Chair, Elizabeth’s Group

• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication.