Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst features on shortlist for Manchester statue Published duration 21 October 2015

image copyright PA/Getty/Manchester Libraries/Cariocca Enterprises image caption The shortlist features (from top left to bottom right) Emmeline Pankhurst, Ellen Wilkinson, Elizabeth Gaskell, Louise Da-Cocodia, Elizabeth Raffald and Margaret Ashton

Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst could become the first woman to be honoured with a statue in Manchester for more than 100 years.

Sixteen out of the 17 statues currently in the city centre are of men - the exception being Queen Victoria.

Others on the shortlist to join them include writer Elizabeth Gaskell and anti-racism campaigner Louise Da-Cocodia.

The winner's statue is due to be unveiled in 2019.

Manchester councillor Margaret Ashton, businesswomen Elizabeth Raffald - who wrote The Experienced English Housekeeper in the 18th Century - and the late Labour MP Ellen Wilkinson are also on the shortlist.

People can vote online for their favourite until 31 December.

The campaign, known as the WoManchester Statue Project, was started last year by Didsbury councillor Andrew Simcock.

Emmeline Pankhurst , who lived in Manchester, was instrumental in the movement for women to get the vote and was founder of the Women's Social and Political Union

, who lived in Manchester, was instrumental in the movement for women to get the vote and was founder of the Women's Social and Political Union Elizabeth Gaskell's novels include North and South, Wives and Daughters and Cranford, which was based on her life in Knutsford

novels include North and South, Wives and Daughters and Cranford, which was based on her life in Knutsford Louise Da-Cocodia moved from Jamaica to the UK in 1955 and was the first black senior nursing officer in Manchester. She also campaigned against racism

moved from Jamaica to the UK in 1955 and was the first black senior nursing officer in Manchester. She also campaigned against racism Margaret Ashton campaigned for women's right to vote and was the first woman City Councillor in Manchester

campaigned for women's right to vote and was the first woman City Councillor in Manchester Elizabeth Raffald - born in 1733 - was housekeeper at Arley Hall and Gardens in Cheshire and wrote The Experienced English Housekeeper, for which she sold the copyright to her publisher for £1,400 - about £200,000 today

- born in 1733 - was housekeeper at Arley Hall and Gardens in Cheshire and wrote The Experienced English Housekeeper, for which she sold the copyright to her publisher for £1,400 - about £200,000 today Ellen Wilkinson, who was born in 1891, was a Labour MP, co-organiser of the 1935 Jarrow March and campaigned on mental health issues