Rochdale women demand the vote – was your great-gran there?

If you spot the name of your great-gran or another family member in the list, please do contact the Library on enquiries@wcml.org.uk or 0161 736 3601

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The Working Class Movement Library has been given the minutes of the Rochdale branch of the Women’s Social and Political Union, the organisation founded early last century in Manchester by the Pankhursts and other campaigners for women to get the vote. The minute book dates from May 1907 and continues until November 1915.

Included in the minutes is a list of nearly 50 members and women friends who attended the “monster demonstration” on 21 June 1908, when between 200,000 and 300,000 women gathered in Hyde Park to further their campaign for votes for women.

A spokesperson said: "If you spot the name of your great-gran or another family member in the list, please do contact the Library on enquiries@wcml.org.uk or 0161 736 3601 and tell us more about them."

On 12 June 1913 the minute book records that a special meeting was held to “consider the matter of sending delegates to represent Rochdale at the funeral of Miss Emily Wilding Davison [trampled to death by the King’s horse at the Derby] who had laid down her life in the cause of women” and it was decided to send three women, along with flowers.

It was not all serious business, members also had picnics, tea parties, dances and socials to raise much-needed funds. At one tea party, attended by about 50 people, the women were presented with a tea urn by a “gentleman sympathiser”.

The spokesperson added: "The Library is extremely grateful to the donors of this minute book which will be added to its collection of suffragette material which includes photos, books, the journal Votes for Women, and a badge which was presented to a woman who had been imprisoned for her suffragette activities.

"Everyone is welcome to come and browse what’s here."