Join us and our guest speakers at the University of Warwick to meet Hope, a life-sized Lego Suffragette visiting from UK Parliament, to explore and celebrate political women in Coventry and Warwickshire past, present, and future.

Displayed in the modern Faculty of Arts Building on Warwick campus, Hope will encourage diverse conversations about women’s politics, voting and equal rights, and local stories of Votes for Women campaigning.

Our speakers will take you on a journey from the early twentieth century women's suffrage campaign in Warwickshire (Prof. Sarah Richardson, University of Glasgow); to newly discovered archives for Coventry’s first female MP, Elaine Burton, 75 years since her 1950 election (Senior Archivist UK Parliament, Mari Takayanagi); right to the present and beyond with talks on driving change for women’s equality and empowerment through education and technology (Dr Shweta Singh, University of Warwick); and reflections on women in politics and Q&A with our keynote speaker Zarah Sultana, MP for Coventry South, a passionate advocate for social justice, climate action, and gender equality.

The event will also feature a book signing with Mari Takayanagi of her fascinating work ‘Necessary Women: The Untold Story of Parliament's Working Women’ co-authored with Elizabeth Hallam Smith. There will also be information on joining a local suffrage history mapping project; and opportunities for connecting in a relaxed and open space.

A full programme will be sent to ticket holders nearer to the event date. The event will open for registration at 10am and close at approximately 3.30pm

Complimentary refreshments and a buffet lunch will be available.

This event is organised by the University of Warwick History Department and Shared By Resonate.