A century ago women won the right to vote in the UK.

Suffragettes across the nation fought for many years to win the vote. In 1918, they were finally victorious.

Since then, women in the UK have channelled the Suffragette Spirit to campaign for progress, standing up against racism, sexism, homophobia and corruption.

Last century’s suffragettes are today’s human rights defenders, harnessing their passionate voices to empower communities and create a fairer world.

To mark the historic anniversary, the Manchester Evening News is joining forces with Amnesty International to celebrate extraordinary women in our communities.

We want to highlight the work of women who epitomise the spirit of the Suffragettes and give voices to those who cannot stand up for themselves.

Emmeline Pankhurst, and her two daughters Christabel and Sylvia, set up the Women’s Political and Social Union right here in Manchester in 1903.

Suffragettes shook Edwardian society by interrupting political meetings, chaining themselves to railings and waving banners emblazoned with ‘VOTES FOR WOMEN’.

They were regularly arrested, went on hunger strike, cut phone lines - and one, Emily Davidson, threw herself under a horse to get the suffragette message heard.

In 1918, the Representation of the People Act was passed, giving women over the age of 30, and who owned a certain amount of property, the right to vote.

It would be a further 10 years until the vote was extended to all women.

Our city - once a battle ground for some of the most famous Suffragettes in history - is still filled with inspiring women who continue to make a difference to this day.

We are calling on readers to nominate the incredible women who are working to make a real difference in Greater Manchester.

They might have stood up to bullies, helped the homeless, aided refugees, campaigned for better access to healthcare.

They could have challenged bad business practices, worked to protect the environment or prevented forced evictions.

Each time these women have spoken up, set up a petition, sent a letter to their MP, set up a local campaigning group or marched for rights, they’ve taken steps towards making life better for others.

We believe that the amazing achievements of these often-unsung heroes deserve to be celebrated, and Amnesty International wants to feature them on its Suffragette Spirit Map of Britain.

The interactive map will launch on International Women’s day on March 8 as a symbol of the suffragettes’ legacy and to highlight the life-changing work still being carried out. It is part of Amnesty’s global BRAVE campaign to champion and protect human rights defenders around the world, 70 years after the publication of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

How to nominate

To nominate an amazing woman, visit www.amnesty.org.uk/suffragettespirit. All women must have carried out work to help others in Greater Manchester within the last 10 years.

All successful nominees will be contacted to give consent prior to being placed on the Suffragette Spirit Map of Britain, which has been funded by People’s Postcode Lottery.

"Women who make life better for others"

By Angelica Bell

One hundred years ago today, British women were given a voice. For the first time, many mothers, daughters and sisters could have a say in how their country was run. Back then, suffragettes up and down the country would stop at almost nothing to get their voices heard in parliament. The struggle to win the vote was long and arduous, but in 1918 these brave women won.

Since then, women around the world have channelled the suffragette spirit to campaign for progress. They have stood up to racism, sexism, homophobia, corruption and much more. Last century’s suffragettes are today’s women human rights defenders. Every day they harness their passionate voices to empower communities and create a fairer world.

Amnesty International campaigns to help protect women human rights defenders around the world. These brave campaigners often face surveillance, intimidation, threats, imprisonment and some even risk their lives. But you don’t need to travel thousands of miles to meet women fighting for justice and equality. In fact, there’s probably a woman human rights defender living at your doorstep.

This is why Amnesty and the Manchester Evening News wants readers to nominate the incredible women who are making a real difference in their local area. Ordinary women from all walks of life – from students to shopkeepers, office workers to OAPs – are doing extraordinary things. They might have stood up to bullies, helped the homeless, aided refugees, worked to protect the environment or campaigned for better access to healthcare. Every time these women have spoken up, they’ve helped make life better for others - to ensure that you and I, as well future generations, enjoy a fairer, more equal world.

The amazing achievements of these often-unsung heroes deserve to be celebrated, and Amnesty wants to put them on its Suffragette Spirit Map of Britain. The interactive map, which will launch on International Women’s day, will be a symbol of the suffragette legacy – proudly displaying how far we have come over the past century, but highlighting how much life-changing work is still being carried out today.

So, over to you: Which 21st century suffragette deserves to be put firmly on the map?