Record

Performance TitleWomen's Social and Political Union (WSPU) Meeting (Suffragettes)
Performance Date18 March 1910
Performance DayFriday
Main PerformersMrs Emmeline Pankhurst,
Mr J Castberg (Ex Minister of Justice in the Norwegian Liberal Cabinet who carried the Woman Suffrage Bill in Norway),
Mrs Pethick Lawrence,
Miss Christabel Pankhurst - speakers
Performance NotesSpeakers included Mrs Pankhurst, Christabel Pankhurst, Mrs Pethick Lawrence and a member of the Norwegian parliament that had already given women the vote. The 'Medal for Valour' was presented to seven women, including Lady Constance Lytton, who have suffered imprisonment caused through the 'Hunger strike."
(The Times, 19 March 1910)

"The Victoria Cross. Some of those to whom so much of the present victory is due, the beloved and heroic comrades who suffered to the utmost to win freedom for all, were on the platform, and received their medals from Mrs Pankhurst. The list of those who have suffered imprisonment and its brutal accompaniments since the last meeting was Miss L Atheling, Miss Bertha Brewster, Miss Violet Bryant, Miss F Clarkson, Miss Norah Dunlop, Miss Garnett, Miss Godfrey, Miss Leslie Hall, Mrs Hesmondhaigh, Miss Elsie Howey, Miss Violet Jones, Lady Constance Lytton, Miss Charlotte Marsh, Miss Selina Martin, Miss Lilian Norbury, Mrs Rigby and Miss Mary Wilcox.
All have given their utmost, but some have had to suffer more than others, and a thrill of special sympathy and appreciation went through the audience as Miss Leslie Hall, Lady Constance Lytton, Miss Selina Martin, and Miss Charlotte Marsh took their medals from the hand of Mrs Pankhurst.' (Votes for Women, 25 March 1910)
This meeting had been advertised by a Parasol Parade of 50 women through the streets of the West End and a Suffragette Fire Engine complete with women fire fighters."
(Votes for Women, 25 March 1910)

"Once again the Albert Hall has witnessed a great rally of the members and friends of the WSPU. Each of the five great meetings previously held there has had its own distinctive note - warlike, indignant, expectant, welcoming. Last Friday's meeting was a combination of all of these, with a louder note than all - the note of triumph, the confidence of assured victory. It was a meeting during a time of truce, but the truce was not one of weariness or of capitulation; and there was no slackening of effort or desire to rest on the victories gained."
(Votes for Women, 25 March 1910)

"SUFFRAGISTS AS "FIREMEN."
WEST-END SCENES.
Ever seeking to provide originality of method, the Women's Social and Political Union adopted a novel method to advertise their Albert Hall meeting last night. Hiring an up-to-date fire engine, they galloped through the streets of the West-end, starting at the top of Kingsway and proceeding along Holborn, Oxford-street, and adjacent throughfares. Miss Douglas Smith acted as driver, and she and her six companions on the engine were attired in firemen's regulation uniform, with the exception of a skirt.
The engine was decorated in the purple, white, and green colours of the union. The appearance of the turn-out, the galloping of the hrses, andthe loud report of the gong provided the well-planned deception, and the policemen on street duty instintively held up the traffic to allow the vehicle to pass."
(The Daily Telegraph, 18 March 1910)

"...The collection taken for the funds of the union realised over £2,600, including eight seperate gifts of £100. Medals "for valour" were handed by Mrs Pankhurst to seventeen Suffragists, including Lady Constance Lytton, who have suffered imprisonment since Dec.9.""
(The Daily Telegraph, 19 March 1910)
Work
Ref NoTitleNo of Performances
Work8263Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) - Suffragette Meeting1
Performers
CodeName of Performer(s)
DS/UK/4124Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU); 1903-1917; British suffrage society
DS/UK/3404Pankhurst; Emmeline (15 July 1858-14 June 1928); British political activist and organizer of the British suffragette movement
DS/UK/4265Lawrence; Emmeline Pethick- (1867-1954); Baroness Pethick-Lawrence; British women's rights activist
DS/UK/4220Pankhurst; Dame; Christabel Harriette (1880-1958); Suffragette, co-founder of Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU)
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