Ardwick Women’s Footprints

Walk description:

The walk is an interactive and engaging tour that uncovers local women, many of whom are missing from the history books. Developed by the Ardwick Education Partnership CiC in collaboration with local community groups and the University of Manchester, this two-mile route begins at Medlock Primary School and ends at the Ellen Wilkinson Building. Along the way, you’ll be introduced to a remarkable range of significant female activists including Louise Da-Cacodia, Yomi Mambu, Dr Sylvia Sham, and Ann Hunt.

More than a path, it offers a way of seeing the city and society through the lives of women who have shaped, resisted, built, and fought from its margins. The stories we will share rarely appear in schoolbooks or city plaques, yet each woman stood for something vital: health equity, political representation, anti-racism, education, gender equality in sport, safety, and care. Their lives reflect injustices that persist today - poverty, racial inequality, housing insecurity, pollution, and gender-based violence and we will also share moments of celebration: the first ever female vote cast and even a football world cup!

(not for inclusion – this route is also available as a self guided walk with paper leaflet that we can share with GM walking team)