Everything you need to know about the first woman to have a statue on Parliament Square

A statue of Millicent Fawcett has been approved for construction in Parliament Square, London.

The sculpture will be the first of a woman, and the first created by a woman, to stand in the famous Westminster square.

Parliament Square
Parliament Square (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Who was Millicent Fawcett?

Fawcett in 1913
Fawcett in 1913 (PA Archive)

Her efforts are considered instrumental in leading to the creation of the Representation of the People Act 1918, which first gave some women the vote in the UK.

Fawcett’s statue is due to be erected to mark the centenary of the 1918 Act.

Suffragette Pilgrimage to Hyde Park
A suffragette pilgrimage to Hyde Park (PA Archive)

Who is the artist making the sculpture?

Gillian with her self-portrait at the National Portrait Gallery
Wearing with a self-portrait at the National Portrait Gallery (John Stillwell/PA)

Gillian Wearing with the police officers in the 90s
Wearing with the police officers (PA Archive)

How did this all come about?

Caroline Criado-Perez
Caroline Criado-Perez (Yui Mok/PA)

The Government announced earlier this year that the statue would be paid for with a £5 million fund, and it has now been approved by councillors.

Fawcett will join 11 other statues in the square including Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill.

What’s everyone saying about the statue?

Sadiq Khan unveils draft Environment strategy
Sadiq Khan (PA Wire)

“We want this statue to depict the strength and determination of the women who dedicated their lives to the fight for women’s suffrage and to inspire many generations to come – and I know Gillian’s creation will do just that.”

Prime Minister Theresa May said: “The example Millicent Fawcett set during the struggle for equality continues to inspire the battle against the burning injustices of today.

“It is right and proper that she is honoured in Parliament Square alongside former leaders who changed our country.”

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