A Statue in New Road of Mary Clarke, the first suffragette to die for women's right to vote

From "Better Brighton & Hove fund"

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This statue on New Road, opposite the Theatre Royal, will commemorate Brighton's Mary Clarke, Emmeline Pankhurst's sister, the first suffragette to die for women's right to vote. It will be a symbol of our city's commitment to women's rights and safety, also democracy, non-violence and equality before the law, attracting visitors of all ages. Mary, who escaped an abusive marriage, led the southeast suffrage movement from Brighton from 1909 to 1910. Badly injured in the state violence of 'Black Friday' on 18/11/1910, she was imprisoned, forcibly fed, then died of brain haemorrhage on Christmas Day 1910, two days after leaving prison. She was 49. The message she sent to Brighton supporters as she prepared to go to prison was "I am glad to pay the price for freedom".

A model of the proposed bronze statue is displayed in the Jubilee Library. Mary is depicted after leaving prison, two days before her death, gesturing towards a lamp at her feet which she has laid down for others to pick up. This recalls Isabella McKeown's words at Mary's memorial meeting in January 1911 in the Royal Pavilion: "Her we should not mourn in silence, but take up the torch and light the darkness...". Her hand is held low so that children can hold it. Mary wears a suffragette sash and on her left arm carries a last few copies of Votes for Women, the suffragette newspaper she regularly sold on Brighton seafront. The front page of this November 1910 issue depicts the violent events of 'Black Friday', where Mary was injured. She wears the Hunger Strikers' metal and walks over implements used in forceable feeding, which are imbedded in the surface of the plinth. Her clothing reveals her background as an artist, her love of flowers and her time in prison.

We believe the statue will be an inspiration to all and treasured as a memorial not just to Mary, but also others in our community who have suffered domestic, sexual or political violence or who have struggled for freedom and democracy. We expect it to be much visited by local schools (one local primary school has already encouraged the development of a Mary's Lamp girls' group, requested by young students). We expect a great deal of interest from national and international visitors and tourists.

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Profile of Julie O'Neil

Posted by:Julie O'Neil

5 months ago

Mary Clarke was a courageous campaigner for women's right to vote, and the government's ill treatment of sufragettes caused her early death. Mary was based in B&H, leading the South East's suffrage campaign at the time of her death, and it is only right that she is commemorated by a statue in a prominent place to honour her memory and inspire future generations of women and girls.

Profile of Denise Taylor

Posted by:Denise Taylor

5 months ago

It is enormously important to celebrate Mary Clarke with this proposed statue. She was a key Suffragette who was determined to fight for women’s right to vote, was imprisoned and ultimately died for her activism. She helped make Brighton a leading WSPU branch and 18 years after her death her efforts were rewarded with full equality in 1928. Helping create awareness of women who have suffered abuse generally will be powerful for our community and beyond.

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Profile of Carmel Jackson

Posted by:Carmel Jackson

5 months ago

It is important that future generations remember the sacrifices made by Mary Clarke & all the suffragettes. A statue in a key position would help with this

1 like

Profile of Debbie Waldon

Posted by:Debbie Waldon

5 months ago

We really need more statues to women, someone who isn't Queen Victoria! It's essential to show all residents and visitors the true history of women. This is particularly important to girls and young women who may not be fully aware of women's history and their place in that history. Seeing a statue of such a brave woman and understanding what women went through to get such basic rights as the right to vote will help young women to become more aware of the struggle for equality.

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Profile of Nicola Benge

Posted by:Nicola Benge

5 months ago

This is a fantastic idea after a long campaign to recognise this key suffragette in the city of Brighton and Hove. There are many many statues of men in Brighton but only queen Victoria representing women. It is timely to have a statue of this inspiring woman in a Central location. I hope it's successful.