A day of women, leadership and legacy: 20th October in review
On Tuesday 20th October, we gathered trustees, thematic leads, volunteers, women leaders and supporters for a memorable day in Manchester and Salford. From honest conversations about women’s experiences in business and leadership, to an inspiring discussion with Helen Pankhurst CBE and an unforgettable evening at the Sylvia musical, the day celebrated how far we’ve come while reminding us how much more there is to do.
Roundtable of female leaders: Honest conversations, practical action
We began at The Bonded Warehouse in Manchester, where we were hosted by Hip Pop and convened by Raising the Glass in a roundtable of female business leaders, political leaders including Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig, and other key stakeholders.
The open conversation about women’s experiences in business and leadership centred on how, despite progress in many areas, significant inequalities and barriers remain. Women continue to start businesses at lower rates than men, receive a disproportionately small share of venture capital funding and remain under-represented in the rooms where important decisions are made.
The emphasis wasn’t only on identifying problems, but on identifying the actions needed to make Greater Manchester a place where women have equal opportunities to lead, build businesses and shape decisions.
An evening with Helen Pankhurst: Deeds not words
We stayed in The Bonded Warehouse for a special fundraising reception with our convenor, Helen Pankhurst, who offered a personal and illuminating insight into what it means to carry one of the most recognisable names in the history of the women’s rights movement.
As the great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst and granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst, Helen has a deeply personal connection to the suffragette movement. As well as exploring her family history, Helen considered the legacy she inherited, the campaigning work she’s undertaken and the ongoing challenge of translating the principles of equality into real change.
Questions posed to Helen reflected on what that legacy means today: How do we ensure the next generation inherits more than the stories of those who fought before them? How do we move from celebrating progress to addressing the inequalities that remain? And how do we make sure that the words we use to express our commitment to equality are matched by our deeds?
Sylvia musical at The Lowry: A revolutionary story for our times
These questions provided a fitting introduction to the next part of the day, as we continued to The Lowry in Salford Quays to experience the story of Sylvia Pankhurst on stage. Blending hip-hop, funk, music and dance, the production showcases Sylvia’s commitment to political activism, social justice and the rights of working-class women.
The timing of our visit, during Black History Month, added another important dimension to the experience. With its predominantly Black cast, the production brought together the history of the suffragettes and contemporary artistic styles.
Helen captured the spirit of the production beautifully:
"What you see in the Sylvia musical is the result of passion, commitment and belief, and I very much hope it moves and inspires audiences across the country. As Sylvia's granddaughter, I have been touched by the way her story is being reimagined in such a bold and contemporary form. The energy of hip hop and funk captures something essential – the urgency, the defiance, the refusal to accept the status quo."
Watching Sylvia's story unfold on stage was exhilarating and moving as it presented the struggle for women's suffrage vividly, including the campaign that led to equal voting rights in 1928. The closing scene, in which Helen’s father, Richard, was wheeled across the stage in his pram, was particularly poignant – a reminder of the family connection and the generations who’ve carried the story forward. Ultimately, the musical was a celebration of courage, conviction and the possibility of change.
The evening was made even more special by the two winners of our prize draw, Mandy McCormick and Lisa Pedersen, joining us to see Sylvia. Here’s what they had to say about their experience:
“Amazingly talented cast and production, taking us on an emotionally thought-provoking roller coaster. Thank you GM4Women2028 and The Lowry.” – Mandy McCormick
“What an amazing evening we had seeing Sylvia. The score is fantastic and the cast performances were outstanding. It’s such a strong representation of the historic events. The last act before the interval, where the women were falling one after another, blew me away. Thanks go to GM4Women2028 for giving us the chance to see this phenomenal show.” – Lisa Pedersen
The evening also attracted media attention, with the Manchester Evening News interviewing Helen before the performance. Their review explores the enduring significance of Sylvia’s story and the musical’s powerful message for today. Read the review in the Manchester Evening News.
Looking ahead: From inspiration to action
The events on 20th October were different in format, but united in purpose. The roundtable, Q&A with Helen and Sylvia musical reinforced why the work of GM4Women2028 matters.
The suffragettes understood that progress takes courage, persistence and collective effort. Their legacy isn’t simply something to remember; it’s something to build on. Deeds, not words. Progress has never been made by politely waiting our turn. With plenty of work still to do, now’s not the time to be quiet about it. Together, let’s keep pushing for a more gender-equal society by 2028.
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