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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Letters

Ellen Wilkinson finds her place on our Middlesbrough plinth

Millicent Fawcett (1847-1929) the English suffragette and educationalist.
Millicent Fawcett is to be commemorated in Parliament Square. In Middlesbrough, the first female statue will be of Ellen Wilkinson. Photograph: Hulton Deutsch/Corbis/Getty Images

The decision to commemorate Millicent Fawcett in Parliament Square produced a number of letters (17 April). It is heartening to see women from history recognised and to hear of campaigns up and running across the country. 

Les Summers questioned why Ellen Wilkinson has not been chosen or given prominence. I am running the Eighth Plinth campaign in Middlesbrough to secure the first female statue in the town. Following a public vote, it will be of Ellen Wilkinson, who was MP for Middlesbrough East 1924-31, the first female education secretary and a huge advocate for women’s rights.

Work is under way, and a female sculptor will be commissioned to produce the statue.
Emma Chesworth
Stockton, Teesside

• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com

• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters

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