Statue of Alice Hawkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Alice Hawkins |
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| Artist | Sean Hedges-Quinn |
| Year | 2018 |
| Type | Bronze sculpture |
| Dimensions | 2.1 m (7 ft) |
| Location | Leicester, England |
| 52°38′04″N 1°08′02″W / 52.6345°N 1.1339°W | |
A special statue of Alice Hawkins stands in Green Dragon Square, Leicester, England. Alice Hawkins was a brave woman who fought for women's right to vote. People who fought for this right were called suffragettes. This statue helps us remember her important work.
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About the Alice Hawkins Statue
This statue is made of bronze, a strong metal. It is about 2.1 meters (7 feet) tall and weighs around 360 kilograms (800 pounds). A talented artist named Sean Hedges-Quinn created it. The statue stands on a granite base that is about 1.2 meters (4 feet) high.
The statue is placed near where Alice Hawkins used to speak to crowds. She would talk about why women should have the right to vote. The statue shows her speaking, with her right arm raised as if she is making an important point.
History of the Statue
This statue is very special because it is the first statue in the county of Leicester that honors a specific woman.
How the Statue Was Funded
The idea for the statue started in 2012 with a city leader named Adam Clarke. He wanted to make sure Alice Hawkins was remembered. Councillor Clarke started a group called the 'Alice Hawkins Legacy Group'. Alice's great-grandson, Peter Barratt, also joined this group. Their main goal was to raise money for the statue.
The city's mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, promised that the council would pay for the statue's base and its care. Money from worker groups helped pay for a design contest. This contest led to Sean Hedges-Quinn being chosen as the sculptor. A local businessman, Jamie Lewis, gave £62,400 from his charity fund for the statue itself. He owned a building where Alice Hawkins once worked making shoes.
Unveiling the Statue
The statue was officially shown to the public on 4 February 2018. Thousands of people came to see it, including some of Alice Hawkins' family. Before the unveiling, a march took place through the city.
The march was led by Helen Pankhurst, who is the great-granddaughter of another famous suffragette leader, Emmeline Pankhurst. An actress named Elaine Pantling, who wrote a play about Alice, was also at the front of the march. Pictures of the event were in many national newspapers. TV news channels like BBC, ITV, and Sky News also covered the march and unveiling.
Several important people spoke to the crowds. These included Lord Willy Bach, who is the great-nephew of Emmeline Pankhurst. The city mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, and Alice's great-grandson, Peter Barratt, also spoke. A choir sang a song called 'Rise Up'.
The statue was unveiled by Alice's great-great-granddaughter, Kate Barratt. Health activist Alice Gibbs, city leader Cllr Manjula Sood MBE, and Member of Parliament Liz Kendall MP also helped unveil it. A TV and radio host named Geeta Pendse led the ceremony.
The statue was unveiled just a week before a big anniversary. It was almost 100 years since the Representation of the People Act 1918 became law. This law allowed some women to vote for the first time. The Alice Hawkins statue was one of the first new statues in England to be unveiled that year to celebrate this important event.
