She Strides Forward

Well, the weather was freezing, it was wild, windy and snowing but nevertheless, I persisted in carrying out my planned walk of London (with trusty companions, Ruth and Marcus). There are so many suffragette related sites in London I couldn't visit them all. Therefore I walked between some major sites and stopped off at two special, centenary events. Hyde Park w as the scene of regular suffragette meetings and speeches. It was also wh ere, on June 21st 1908, a spectacular procession, a 'monster meeting' took place. 30,000 suffragettes carrying 700 banners converged and drew crowds of 300,000 - 500,000 onlookers. This marked the introduction of the  WSPU 'brand colours' of green, white and purple. It was the largest number of people gathered in Hyde Park for political purpose ( source: Kent.ac.uk ) and the park was awash with suffragette colours in the clothing, banners and sashes of the activists. The colours had meaning - purple for dignity and loyalty, white

Manchester was the birthplace of the suffragette movement and where Emmeline Pankhurst set up the WUSP from her home in Nelson Street. The natives were friendly and as I stepped off the tram a few people asked for photos. These ladies were dressed up for a tea party and looked spectacular. Manchester was re-named 'WoManchester' for International Women's Day https://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/news/marketing-services/2018/03/manchester-rebrands-womanchester-international-women’s-day and there were signs all around the city highlighting the centenary and celebrating strong Manchester women. I missed some great International Women's Day events but I did arrive in time to hear a talk about the Peterloo Massacre in the Central library given by Dr. Robert Poole. In 1819, a peaceful protest for greater representation (at a time when only 2% of the population had the vote) turned into a bloodbath when the cavalry attacked protesters with swords and batons killing

I will be Walking in Her Shoes this March to celebrate the suffrage centenary of 1918, to find out more about the history of the Suffragettes and the centenary activities taking place around the UK and to raise funds for CARE International , who work to empower women worldwide. If you have met me along the way and would like to support CARE please do so on my Just Giving page