The names of twenty great women of Manchester on the shortlist for a statue in the centre of Manchester was revealed recently. Not surprisingly Emmeline Pankhurst came top of the list. However, Manchester should be proud to have such a wealth of inspiring women to celebrate. (Click here to see the full list)
At least five of the women lived in St Chrysostom’s parish at one part of their lives and we are immensely proud that one of the nominees was a former committed member, churchwarden and great supporter of St Chrysostom’s – Louise Da Cocodia (1934-2008).
Louise was a great inspiration to many at St Chrysostom’s, a tireless campaigner for racial justice, inclusion and social equality, with a special care for those on the margins.
In church life not only was Louise, as churchwarden at St Chrysostom’s, one of the first black women churchwardens in England, she later became a member of the General Synod of the Church of England and a Canon of Manchester Cathedral. She received many honours and was a Deputy Lieutenant of Manchester.
We miss her at St Chrysostom’s, she was at Mass every Sunday without fail. Above all we miss her encouragement, her laughter and ever present smile. However, her witness lives on among us, we are proud of what she gave to our church. Her inspiration encourages us at St Chrysostom’s along our path of inclusion, celebration and joy in our faith.
How wonderful that Louise’s contribution to Manchester life was recognised by this nomination.
May her example inspire us to “keep the dream alive”
(You can read more about Louise here and on Wikipedia here)
St Chrysostom's Church News and Views 
You can vote for Louise to be commemorated in a statue on the MEN website https://www.facebook.com/StChrysostoms?fref=ts- though perhaps her commemoration is in the lives she touched and changed.
Whoops! Sorry, the link should be: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-women-shortlist-statue-vote-9342675