Oldham Society for Women's Suffrage
Fifth Annual Report
year ending October 31st, 1915
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Read at the Annual Meeting of members in the Music Room, Werneth Park.
November 19th, 1915
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Oldham Society for Women's Suffrage
(National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies)
Non-Party .................... Non-Militant
President :
Miss Marjory Lees
Vice Presidents:
Mrs. Bodden, Dr. Olive Claydon, Mrs. Claydon, Mrs. McGowan, Rev. G.S. Osborn, Dr. Pinniger, Mrs. J.W. Taylor, Rev. A.J. Viner, Mr. G.H. Whittaker.
Executive Committee:
Mrs. Clynes, Mrs. Wilde, Miss Dornan, Mrs. Ingham, Miss Field, Mrs. Jagger, Miss Hughes, Mrs. Osborn, Miss Hearne, Mrs. Siddall, Miss Sharples.
Hon Treasurer:
Miss Mitton, 13 Newport Street,
Hon. Secretary:
Mrs. Bridge, 82, Greengate Street.
Hon. Secretary to The Friends of Women's Suffrage Scheme:
Miss Fox, 25, Osborne Road.
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3.
Once more our annual report is read while half the world is at war, and falling into line with the position of the National Union, we have, like all other Women's Suffrage Societies, laid aside our active political work to do our share in relieving distress both at home and abroad. It would take too long to particularise the many activities in which our members are engaged. Many have taken up Red Cross work. One is on the medical staff of the women's hospital in Serbia. The splendid band of visitors who assisted during the milk distribution which was so freely given by our President to expectant and nursing mothers, as long as it was found to be necessary, are in a great many cases still keeping in touch with the homes, and the appreciation which is shown can only be measured by the difference which is evident in many poor cottages. At the end of the first three months 454 families were receiving the grant of milk, and 1,594 pints were supplied weekly. During the last three months 1,382 pints were supplied weekly. These figures will give some idea of the amount of time and thought which had to he spent on the scheme, but any effort which was put forth was amply rewarded by the way a great many of those who were helped showed their gratitude in renewed efforts to help themselves, and the visitors were charged with many touching messages to the President for her valued help. But her sympathy was not limited only to the distressed at home, as her gift of £1,000 to the Allies Relief Fund shows. We should like to mention the help which the visitors received from the Oldham Committee for the care of women and children, who established clothing depots in every ward in the town, and so there was no lack of warm clothing for those who needed it.
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It is with gratitude we report that Alderman Mrs. C. E. Lees, L.L.D., presented to the local branch of the St. John Ambulance Society a thoroughly equipped Motor Ambulance. It has gone to the front with its title in which we feel so proud to share, "The Oldham Suffragist." We trust it will prove the blessing to the sufferers what its kind donor hopes for it.
With satisfaction we find how willing our members have been to increase their subscriptions in many cases this year, and we have been enabled to send a donation of £5 to the local Relief Fund, and to make a special grant of £10 to the funds of the Manchester and District Federation, in addition to our own immediate work. At the request of the National Union we sent out to our members Government forms in order that the offers of service from women who were prepared to undertake work which might release a man for active service might be tabulated and used as necessity arose. Over one hundred of our members offered their services in various capacities, but so far as we know no employment has yet been found for any of them.
At our last annual meeting Mrs. Harold Hills, BA., lectured on Maternity Centres and proved the great need for them when she told us that the toll of baby lives lost through ignorance in a year is greater than that of the battle fued [sic]. Your Executive sent a representative, when a deputation consisting of women from every woman's organisation in the town went to interview the Health Committee with reference to forming a Municipal Maternity Centre.
Delegates have been sent to two Council Meetings held respectively in London and Birmingham, the latter being specially called in order that a clear vote might be taken as to whether the Societies did or did not desire active work to be done on peace lines. By a large majority the decision was against this and the ruling of the National Union Executive that Societies were not at liberty to send official delegates to the Hague Conference was strongly supported.
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In February Miss Basnett lectured for us to the Equitable Co-operative Literary and Debating Society on "Women's Work in Time of War."
The Executive Committee has met nine times.
Our members' meetings in january and in june were well attended, and the interest taken in the various matters discussed showed that the members only await the opportunity to begin active work.
On October 15th Miss Violetta Thurstan, LL.A., late organiser to the National Union, lectured to members and friends in the Music Room on "Red Cross Work in Belgium and Russia." There was a large audience, and the lecture, which was illustrated by lantern views, was greatly appreciated. Miss Thurstan told a simple and modest story of her adventures in the two war stricken countries in which she had been working, a story of extraordinary interest followed with keen attention. At the close a collection was taken in aid of the National Union Scottish Women's Hospitals for foreign service, and realised £17 12s 8d. Your Committee decided to supplement this by a donation from the funds of the Society in order to name a bed in one of the hospitals. The bed is placed at Royaumont, and is named Oldham S.W.S. There is also a bed in the hospital at Serbia, the gift of the President. Since then the Manchester and District Federation has decided to equip a Field Hospital. The first cost of this will be over £3,000, Again, Alderman Mrs. C. E. Lees has generously given the large contribution of £500. We shall want the help of all our members in this work of mercy, Manchester and surrounding towns are already at work to raise the money. We must not lag behind. The Secretary will supply collecting cards to any who will volunteer to help.
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The Hospital Number of the 1"Common Cause" will tell you of the splendid work being done by the National Union Societies all over the country. The work is particularly our own. It was first thought out by the Scottish Women and they deserve to retain the title. The result is a magnificent and spontaneous work in the war zones, and the brave women who have gone out and (there is no lack of volunteers) must not be handicapped for want of anything we at home can supply. The hospitals are entirely officered by women, and the organisation is all done by women, and the amount subscribed to date reaches the sum of £73,615. Let us make the equipment of the, Manchester and District Field Hospital part of our winter`s work, and let us be up and doing it.
Signed on behalf of the Executive Committee,
RACHEL H. BRIDGE, Honorary Secretary.
[1. Note the relevant pages in "The Common Cause" can be read on-line HERE in 'google newspapers']
