Rise up, Women (Emmeline Pankhurst statue)
The phrase "Rise up, Women" is inscribed on the plinth of the statue of Emmeline Pankhurst, located in Victoria Tower Gardens, London. The statue, sculpted by Arthur George Walker, was unveiled in 1930.
The inscription derives from a call to action articulated by Emmeline Pankhurst, a leading figure in the British suffragette movement. Pankhurst and the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), which she founded, advocated for women's suffrage. They believed that direct action and militant tactics were necessary to achieve their goal of securing the right to vote for women.
The phrase "Rise up, Women" encapsulates the suffragette movement's message of female empowerment and collective action against gender inequality. It served as a rallying cry, urging women to challenge the established social and political order and demand their enfranchisement. The phrase is intended to be inspirational, conveying a sense of urgency and purpose in the fight for women's rights. The positioning of the inscription on the statue ensures that the call to action persists, even beyond Pankhurst's lifetime, reminding viewers of the ongoing struggle for gender equality.