1918
"Things done are won.
Joy's soul lies in the doing"
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REPORT
Eighth Annual Meeting of the Oldham Society for Women's Suffrage
November 2nd, 1918
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THE VOTE WON
At this our Eighth Annual Meeting we come together in the pride of citizenship. The great Reform Act whereby over 6,000,000 women are enfranchised passed into law in February last. We have to thank no party for our enfranchisement. The Bill was brought forward by a Government representative of all parties, and the passing of Women's Suffrage by an overwhelming majority in an open vote was a clear expression of the national will. In the hour of darkness - the 4th year of the European War, the place of woman in the structure of the State suddenly became visible - a voice in the conduct of its affairs could not be refused her. In the political developments which led to this consummation your Society took its part. During the later stages of the Bill we pressed, in common with other Women's Organisations for the extension of the Local Government Vote to Married Women, and this Amendment was accepted by the House without a division.
1918
At our last Annual Meeting Miss Andrew of the Manchester and Salford Women Citizens' Association gave an address, with particular reference to the way that Society is carried on.
In February we were invited to send three representatives to a joint meeting of all the Womens' Organisations in the locality. The meeting was called by the local branch of the National Union of Women Workers, Mrs. Ingham, Miss Dornan and the Secretary attended, and a Joint Committee was formed to arrange a course of lectures and to consider the advisability of forming a local Women Citizens' Association.
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Your Executive met in March and received the report of the three delegates, after consideration, this resolution was carried unanimously:-
"That this Executive of the Oldham Society for Women's Suffrage approves the appointment of a Joint Committee of Women's Societies to consider the formation of a Local Women Citizens' Association, and recommends this Scheme to the Members of the Society"
A Meeting of Members was called on May 4th, and was well attended. It was then decided to continue the Society on its present lines until the end of the financial year, and a Special Committee was formed consisting of all the Members of the Executive Committee with the addition of Miss H. Lees and Miss Sudlow, to consider the future of the Society. This Committee met on June 14th, and after discussion as to the best means of ascertaining the wishes of the Members, it was resolved to send a circular to each Member asking them to vote on the following propositions:-
(a) Do you desire the Suffrage Society to continue as a Suffrage Society working for the extension of the franchise to women on the same terms as men? or
(b) do you desire to join instead a Women Citizens' Association having for its object the education of women in citizenship, the securing of adequate representation of the interests and experiences of women in the affairs of the community, and the extension of the franchise to women on the same terms as men?
This vote has been very decisive, only 3 voting for 'a' and 157 voting for 'b', thus showing a large majority in favour of wider developments necessitating some amount of reconstruction.
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We were represented at the Council Meetings held in London in March by the President, Secretary and Mrs. Jagger. Full particulars of the Resolutions were given in the President's cirular-letter to you before the May meeting and also by Mrs. Jagger at the meeting.
During the year we have lost two Vice-Presidents, first Dr. Catherine Payne died in February after a long illness. Remembering her work in Serbia and the esteem in which whe was held, a wreath with a suitable inscription was sent from the Society. Then the Rev. G.S. Osborn, a strong supporter of our movement and Mrs. Osborn a member of the Executive resigned owing to removal from the town. We have also lost by death three members - Mrs. Tuke who took part in the Pilgrimage, Mrs. Elson and Mrs. Viner. Mrs. Bainbridge, B.A., was co-opted on the Executive Committee in February last.
Your charming gifts to the Treasurer and Secretary in recognition of their work came as a very pleasing surprise. Your kindness and appreciation are much valued. They take this opportunity of repeating their thanks to any member who was not at the presentation on May 4th.
Seven delegates attended a conference in September, at the Milton Hall, Manchester, on the Endowment of Maternity.
The work of the Scottish Hospitals still continues. The President and Dame Sarah Lees still maintain beds and the amount sent this year from Oldham is £135. The past year was one of grave anxiety for the Russian and Serbian Units of these Hospitals, and the relief and satisfaction felt by us all at the safe return was immediately clouded by the news of the death of their Commandant Dr. Elsie Inglis, a few hours after reaching an English port. She gave her life for her country and its cause, as truly as any soldier in the trenches and as cheerfully. In the Councils of the National Union she had long been a leading figure, she stood out as a supporter of wise
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decisions and bold measures, surgery and suffrage were her paramount interests. The bond between the Serbian Nation and the Units which Dr. Elsie Inglis represented has grown to be very close, and it is to be desired that this link should not be broken.
The total amount raised for the Hospitals up to September 30th, 1918, has reached £337,862.
Your Committee looks back with some pride on the eight years' work of the Society. From the beginning of the movement here through days of stern controversy right up to the victory the Society has pursued a steady course. Based upon principles of democracy inspired by a single aim and undisturbed by party politics it continued to grow, led by a President who brought us enthusiasm and initiative. It would be impossible to tell you of all she has done, much is known to you, but more has been done than we have space to record. Our sincere thanks have been tendered so often that they seem commonplace. We acknowledge a deep debt of gratitude to pioneers of the Suffrage Movement who did most of the spade work in days long gone by, and to Mrs. Fawcett the far-seeing leader of the Women's Movement in Great Britain, and President of our great Union of Constitutional Women's Suffrage Societies. Trusted and beloved from one end of the country to the other, we rejoice that she has seen the fruits of her statesmanship, her courage and her constancy. During the last few days the House of Commons has passed by a sweeping majority of 274 to 25 a resolution in favour of admitting women to its membership, and it is greatly to be hoped that in a Parliament which will be much concerned with public health, child welfare, housing and other aspects of re-construction in which the help of women would be particularly valuable, women candidates competent to deal with these questions will be returned by the votes of both men and women.
Events are moving rapidly, and it may be of interest to you to be reminded of some of the efforts we have made which have helped to bring us to the goal.
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1910 - 11
About the middle of Septemer, 1910, a meeting organised by Miss Dornan and others, was held at the Alexandra Park Gates, addresses were given from a lurry which served as a platform by Miss Marjory Lees who presided, Miss Robertson, B.A., Miss Helen Ward, Mrs. Claydon and Mrs. Fletcher. The audience was invited to a Meeting to be held in the Unity Hall, on November 8th 1910, at which it was hoped a Society would be formed.
The meeting was held as arranged. Mrs. Councillor Lees presided, and as this was the eve of her election as Mayor of the Borough (held by a woman for the first time), it was doubly interesting, Mrs. Fawcett, LL.D., and Miss Margaret Robertson were the speakers. 130 persons joined the Society that evening.
The first Meeting of the Members was held Nov. 21st, and Miss Lees (who was then the mayoress), was unanimously elected President, and the Vice-Presidents elected were Mrs. Bodden, Mrs. Claydon, Mrs. McGowan, Mrs. Perry Gore, Mrs. Ratcliffe, Miss Rowntree, Mrs. J.W. Taylor and Mrs Waddington. The Executive Committee appointed were Dr. Claydon, Dr. Pinniger, Mrs. Ingham, Mrs. Jagger, Miss Dornan, Miss Mitton, Miss Hughes, Miss Sharples, Miss M. Weeks, Miss I.T. Rowntree as Treasurer, and Mrs. Bridge and Mrs. Siddall as co-Secretaries.
the work of the year included:-
A public Debate between Dr. Olive Claydon and Mr. Beaumont.
A Canvass of women householders showing 77% to be in favour of the Suffrage.
A petition signed by 1,826 women householders sent to Parliament.
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Mrs. Philip Snowden and Mrs. J.B. Duckworth addressed a Public meeting in the Equitable Co-operative Hall.
23 Members of the society walked in the great procession of 50,000 women in London.
A Parlianentary By-election with a shop in Yorkshire Street as our Committee Room. All the Candidates were in our favour. Our non-party election cry is still remembered, "Whoever Wins, the Women Win."
1912
We initiated the Friends of Suffrage Scheme with Miss Fox as Secretary.
Sent Speakers and gave out Literature to all the Political parties, Teaching Profession and Debating Societies.
Delegated attended a great Demonstration at the Albert Hall, London, when a collection realised £7,000 and included a donation of £55 from our President.
Miss Field arranged Cottage Meetings.
A Memorial was sent to our Two Members of Parliament signed by representatives of weight and influence in the Parliamentary Borough.
Miss Hearne presented the Society with a beautiful banner.
a Procession through the town and Mass meeting in Werneth Park.
Public Debate in the Co-operative Hall, King Street, between Miss Helen Fraser and Miss Cordelia Moir.
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1913
Public Meeting convened by several local gentlemen interested in Women's Suffrage, held in the Co-operative Hall, King Street. Lord Emmott gave a remarkable address, which was afterwards printed and widely circulated at the expense of Alderman Mrs. C.E. Lees.
The President and Two members of the Society attended the International Congress at Buda Pesth.
The Great Pilgrimage through England in order to tell the country why women wanted the vote. Seven members took part. Concluded by great Demonstration in Hyde Park, London.
1914
Public Meeting in Co-operative Hall, addressed by Mrs. Swanwick, M.A.
Mr. Barton, M.P., sent in his resignation to the Liberal Association, giving as his reason that they were not in sympathy with him on Women's Suffrage.
Carried out a syllabus of Meetings and Addresses with distribution of literature in the town and district.
Organised a Campaign to increase the membership which resulted in an addition of 125.
Work suspended in August owing to war.
The President initiated and carried out at her own expense, a scheme for supplying expectant mothers and mothers with young children in distress with a daily supply of milk. At the end of 6 months 454 families were receiving a grant of milk which amounted to 1,594 pints weekly. A visitor to each mother rendered help.
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1915
Many Trade Unions sent resolutions in favour of Women's Suffrage, by our request.
A fully equipped Motor Ambualnce with the title of, 'The Oldham Suffragist', was presented to the local branch of the St. John Ambulance Society, by Alderman Mrs. C.E. Lees.
Mrs. Harold Hills lectured on Maternity Centres.
Miss Thurstan lectured to a very large audience in the Music Room, on 'Red Cross Work in Belgium and Russia'.
Began work for the Scottish Hospitals. Named the first bed at Royaumont.
A Field Hospital was equipped by Societies in the Manchester Federation. Alderman Mrs. C.E. Lees heading the list of subscriptions with £500.
1916
A letter signed by the officers sent to every Member of the Cabinet.
Much work done for Scottish Hospitals. President maintaining bed at Royaumont and in Serbia. Children of Freehold Council School named a bed at Ajaccio.
Mrs. Annot Robinson lectured on 'Women and War Work'.
Lost by death Mrs. Claydon one of our Vice-Presidents and Dr. Olive Claydon. Published in Memoriam one of her articles entitled 'Some Lines in Advance'.
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1917
Councillor Miss Eleanor Rathbone of Liverpool, addressed a meeting on 'The Present Position of Women's Suffrage'.
Took part in great Demonstration in Manchester in support of the 'Representation of the People' Bill.
Placed a Memorial to Dr. Olive Claydon in the Institute for Women and Girls, Overens Street, to commemorate her work for the Day Nursery there, and offered prizes to students making a special study of Venereal Diseases at the Royal Free Hospital, London, to be known as the Olive Claydon Memorial Prize.
A bed was also endowed in her memory in the Children's Ward at the Royal Infirmary by Dame Sarah Lees and our President.
£232 sent from Oldham to Scottish Hospitals, including £75 from children of Werneth Council School, £25 from Miss Cattrall's class, and £23 proceeds of a concert.
Much press work was done in support of the Bill
Title of Dame Commander of the British Empire bestowed on one of our members (Mrs. Alderman C.E. Lees)
This bare outline of the work can only give a faint idea of the steps in the fight and it is with feelings of thankfulness and relief that we tell you of the wonderful celebration of our work at last accomplished, which your delegates were privileged to attend in the Queen's Hall, London, on March 13th, a celebration in which we were joined by eighteen other Suffrage Organisations.
[Some pages from the Celebration Programme in the 'Extras Gallery']
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The hall was most beautifully decorated with flags and banners, fruit and flowers, by the members of the Artists' Suffrage League. Triumphant music from the fine organ and glorious singing led by Sir Hubert Parry added to the delight of the vast audience. Mrs. Fawcett, LL.D., who presided received a great ovation. The speakers were the Earl of Lytton, The Right Honourable Arthur Henderson, M.P., and Miss Maude Royden. At the close the audience rose and sang with the choir these the last two verses from 'Jerusalem' set to beautiful music by Sir Hubert Parry:
Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.
William Blake
Signed on behalf of the Executive Committee,
RACHEL H. BRIDGE, Honorary Secretary.
November 2nd 1918
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At the Annual Meeting held November 2nd, 1918, the following Resolution was carried unanimously:-
"That in view of the large vote of members in favour of discontinuing the Oldham Society for Women's Suffrage as at present constituted the Society be dissolved, and that the formation of a Non-party Women Citizen's Association be supported."
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