Friends of Sophia Goulden hails support of patrons

Public awareness of Pankhurst's mother growing

The charity behind plans to honour a figure in the women's rights movement, has paid tribute to its patrons.

Friends of Sophia Goulden, who have been crowdfunding for a statue to be erected in Laxey, have been endorsed by two of Ms Goulden's descendants.  

For Tynwald Day this year, the group requested that ceremony organisers extend an invitation to her great grandson Michael Goulden, a supporter of the Manx campaign. 

Writer and women's rights activist Helen Pankhurst is also a patron of the charity.

In light of fundraising, spokesperson for the group Lynn Owens believes the public are more aware of Ms Goulden and her legacy.

Sophia Goulden was the mother of the preeminent suffragette, Emmeline Pankhurst who fought for the right to vote for women in the UK.

Last year, a blue plaque was unveiled by Douglas Borough Council at her family home.