Emmeline Birthday Celebration Kit - 14th July

In 2010 Charlotte Newson completed the first contemporary artwork of born . Women Like You is a photomosaic of her image, made up of 10,000 photographs of inspirational women that were sent in from across the country and all corners of the globe. The original artwork stands 3 metres high and 2.5 metres wide and took over two years to complete. To celebrate Emmeline Pankhurst’s birthday on 14 July, Charlotte is launching the next stage of the project that will enable women to become part of Emmeline Pankhurst’s legacy once more by sharing with others this birthday kit. We very much hope you enjoy using it and do please let us know if you are able to use it to hold your own celebrations or events to mark this milestone date. www.charlottenewson.com Emmeline Pankhurst: This Is Her Life

14 July 1858 1908-09 Born Emmeline Goulden in Moss Side, Manchester. She is jailed three times. 1879 1910 Marries Richard Marsden Pankhurst, a lawyer. Richard Emmeline is refused entry by the police to see Prime had drafted an amendment to the Municipal Franchise Minister Asquith at the House of Commons to protest Act of 1869 which allowed unmarried women against the dropping of the Conciliation Bill, which householders to vote in local elections. He also wrote would have given women the vote. Emmeline is the Married Women’s Property Acts in 1870 and 1882. refused entry by the police. The protest develops into a riot when the women clash with the police and over 100 women are arrested on charges varying from 1880 disturbing the peace to assaulting police officers. The Her daughter Christabel is born. She and Emmeline’s day comes to be known to the as ‘Black second daughter are also destined to become Friday’. prominent in the women’s movement. They were joined by Adella the youngest daughter in the early days of the campaign. 1912 The WSPU becomes militant, with directing arson attacks, window smashing, picture 1889 slashing and hunger strikes from Paris, where she Helps found the Women’s Franchise League. has fled to avoid arrest for conspiracy. Emmeline is arrested, released and rearrested 12 times within a year, 1894 serving a total of about 30 days jail. The league wins the right for married women to vote in elections for local offices, but not for them to vote for the House of Commons. 1914 When the First World War breaks out Emmeline and Christabel call off the suffrage campaign to support 1898 the war effort. During the war Emmeline visits the Emmeline’s husband dies of a perforated ulcer. United States, Canada and Russia to encourage the mobilisation of women. 1903 Founds the Women’s Social and Political Union 1918 (WSPU) in Manchester. The Representation of People Act is passed in February giving the vote to women over 30. 1905 Christabel Pankhurst and are the first 1926 ’s to be jailed. They disrupted a public Emmeline returns to England and is chosen as the meeting at the in Manchester, speakers Conservative candidate for an east London seat, but included Winston Churchill. her health fails before she can be elected. 1906 1928 Emmeline directs WSPU activities from London, She dies on 14 June in London, a few weeks after the organising marches and campaigns against the Representation of the People Act establishing voting Liberal government. The women are disparaged as equality for men and women is passed. “suffragettes” by the Daily Mail but the movement proudly adopts the description.

Emmeline Pankhurst Birthday Celebration Kit - 14th July 2 www.charlottenewson.com Emmeline Pankhurst: In Her Own Words

Trust in God - she will provide.

“ Deeds not words. “ Men make the moral code and they expect women to “ accept it. We have to free half of the human race, the women, so “ that they can help to free the other half. “ Justice and judgment lie often a world apart. The argument of the broken window pane is the most “ valuable argument in modern politics. There is something that Governments care for far more than human life, and that is the security of property, and so it is through property that we shall strike the enemy. Be militant each in your own “ way. I incite this meeting to rebellion. “ We are here, not because we are law-breakers; we are here in our efforts to become law-makers. You have two babies very hungry and wanting to be fed. One baby is a patient baby, and waits indefinitely until its mother is ready to feed it. The other baby is an impatient baby and cries lustily, “ screams and kicks and makes everybody unpleasant until it is fed. Well, we know perfectly well which baby is attended to first. That is the whole history of politics. You have to make more noise than anybody else, you have to make yourself more obtrusive than anybody else, you have to fill all the papers more than anybody else, in fact you have to be there all the time and see that they do not snow you under.

I know that women, once convinced that they are doing what is right, that their rebellion is just, will go on, no matter what the difficulties, no matter what the dangers, so long as there is a alive to “ hold up the flag of rebellion. I would rather be a rebel than a slave. I would rather die than submit; and that is the spirit that animates this movement…..I mean to be a voter in the land that gave me birth or they shall kill me, and my challenge to the Government is: kill me or give me my freedom: I shall force you to make that choice.

Emmeline Pankhurst Birthday Celebration Kit - 14th July 3 www.charlottenewson.com At with Emmeline Pankhurst

62 Nelson Street in Manchester was the home of Emmeline Pankhurst and her family for over eight years. In 1903 Number 62 played host to the very first meeting of the Suffragettes. By 1908 all the Pankhursts had moved to London to be at the centre of the growing campaign. By 1979 the house had fallen into disrepair and was set to be demolished. After a storm of protest from women’s groups and conservationists the Health Authority agreed to lease the houses to the Pankhurst Trust to restore the buildings and put them back into public use. Through extensive fundraising the Trust raised the half a million pounds required to carry out the project. The Centre was opened by , Sylvia’s grand-daughter and Barbara Castle on 11th October 1987, the anniversary of the first meeting of the Suffragettes in 1903. The museum at The is structured around the rooms used by the Pankhurst family and features Emmeline Pankhurst’s sitting room, complete with her piano, armchair and many original artefacts and personal belongings. These unique photographs of the birthplace of the British suffragette movement were also taken by Charlotte Newson.

The Pankhurst Centre - Emmeline Pankhursts parlour. The Piano belonging to .

The typwriter belonging to Sylvia Pankhurst. Suffragette Handkerchief - Detail - Of womens future roles

Emmeline Pankhurst Birthday Celebration Kit - 14th July 4 www.charlottenewson.com Did you know that Emmeline Pankhurst...

• Was one of ten children and a mother to five herself • As a child her father said of her “What a pity she wasn’t born a lad” • Married a man 24 years older than her • Had to earn a living as a registrar of births and deaths when her husband died • Endured ten hunger strikes in prison in one eighteen month period alone • Had a female chauffeur called Vera Holme – when there were still more horses on the road than cars • Had size three and a half feet • Features in the song in the 1964 film ‘’ • Was blamed by TV’s Dr Who in one episode for stealing the doctor’s laser spanner

Emmeline Pankhurst Birthday Celebration Kit - 14th July 5 www.charlottenewson.com How schools can celebrate Emmeline Pankhurst’s Birthday

• Hold a dress up day • Make a hat • Wear a sash for the day • Theme a lesson round the suffragettes – including art, IT research, English – write a poem/essay on being a suffragette • Invite women speakers to the school for the day – writers/politicians/sports women etc to inspire students • Take pupils to the Pankhurst Centre in Manchester • Make a banner • Chalk on the playground – pictures and slogans *(the suffragettes used this as a campaign tool). • Work with a graffiti artist to create a mural • Work with a musician to create a song or rap • Create a short film • Deliver one of Emmeline Pankhurst’s stirring speeches • Theme an assembly on any all of the above ideas • Host a quiz or memory game • Bicycles were the main form of transport and considered a bit outrageous for women to ride – theme a sports activity around bikes, different kinds, BMX etc

Emmeline Pankhurst Birthday Celebration Kit - 14th July 6 www.charlottenewson.com The Extraordinary Stories of Ordinary Women

Charlotte Newson’s portrait of Emmeline Pankhurst features 10,000 images of individual women, sent in from across the globe. Each nomination has its own personal story – of admiration, courage, friendship, achievement and love. Here are just 12 of those stories.

“My daughter Shelley Brocklehurst passed away 3 years ago with a brain tumour. She was a inspiration to all who met her, having fought cancer for 7 “ years. During this time she raised £70,000 for The Young Oncology Unit at Christie hospital. She is loved and missed my many people especially mum, dad and sister. Eira Brocklehurst

This picture is of Chris Ashworth looking at street art in Oldham St Manchester. A wonderful and talented woman who - among many other things - worked on the Internet Mentor Project at WEVH “ in Manchester, training refugee and asylum seeking women in Internet and computer skills and supporting them to pass on their knowledge to others in their communities. Her ability to listen, to communicate and to share was a huge inspiration to me and hundreds of other women. She died 5 years ago and is incredibly missed. Catherine Booth

My Great Aunt. Her name was Cicely B. Hale born 1884, she was part of the suffragette movement, and worked with Mrs Pankhurst, worked for 16 years as “ a health visitor in the East End from 1917, became an agony aunt on “Womens Own”, became a guide at 64 and learnt to swim at 70. Catherine Hallsworth

This is my cousin, Susan Elisabeth England, who was sent to a long stay hospital in 1949 when she was 4 for having a learning disability. 45 years later “ she was brought out again. Now in her 65th year she lives in a bungalow and bravely tries new things such as music and aromatherapy. She does not speak but communicates honestly and is so gentle. Through her life and with the help of her team of carers she has contradicted the doctor who told her parents that she would never do anything Gwen Williams

Emmeline Pankhurst Birthday Celebration Kit - 14th July 7 www.charlottenewson.com

Beth Webb, children’s author and creative writing tutor, has inspired endless aspiring young writers through both her teaching and her “ perpetual encouragement. She always takes young writers seriously and is never devastatingly critical. Helen Harvey

This is my Mum Sue Neat. Sometimes I forget how much she has had to overcome to achieve what she has. In the 1970s she worked in the South “ African townships as a Health Visitor, in the 80s/90s she trained as a psychotherapist whilst bringing up her young family, at 55 she graduated with her Master’s degree and at 58 she decided to learn to play the clarinet, doing her first public performance on her 60th Birthday. She is an inspirational mother, grandmother and friend, who has always taught me that there is nothing that I cannot achieve. I am very proud to be her daughter.” Helen Phillips

Mum & me - My mum’s name is Javi, this photo was taken in the 1960’s in Kenya, Nairobi. My mother emigrated from India to Kenya “ after marriage and lived in Kenya for 40 years before coming to the UK. We were the products of the Empire. She was illiterate, but quickly learned to speak swahili. She was in her late 50’s when she came to UK, but within a few weeks she was conversing in English and found her way around East London. After a few years, she began a women’s meeting group, called Satsang, they used to get together once a week to sing mantras and bhajans and the gathering soon became a support system for women who had arrived in the UK in their 50’s. These women could speak English fluently. Her stamina, positive attitude and compassioniate way of helping everyone she came across is still remembered by many families in East London. She was and is a great inspiration to me and my family.” Indira Nandha

This is my step-daughter Ginnie and her son Leo. She is a single mum and doing an amazing job bringing up Leo and managing full time study “ at university. She is such an inspiration and I am so proud of her, she is brilliant.” Nicky Henegan

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Constance Briscoe, QC. She became one of the first black judges in the country and wrote 2 books detailing her abusive childhood. I don’t know “ her personally but she is inspirational.” Ruth Hughes

This is a picture of my Nan Phyllis Yoxall, she is now 102, still fit and healthy, she is the most amazing lady, very strong and independent, and most definately “ the rock on which our family is built, always there for any of us with words of wisdom, her support and her love xx” Sue Laird

This is a photograph of my mother, Daphne Robinson and my Daughter, Taniya Morris. Both are and inspiration to others and indeed my mother was a great inspiration to her grandaughter. “ Mum was one of those amazing women who, as a member of the Air Transport Auxilliary, ferried various aircraft around the country, including Spitfires, during WW2. She is now 93 and still lives on her own, participating in her local U3A, Aviation Group and attending painting classes. My daughter became a helicopter pilot in the Army Air Corps including a spell of duty in Iraq. She has always lived the dream and is currently driving around Africa with her husband, Clive. Neither women have ever let the grass grow under their feet and are examples of getting the best out of life, no matter what it throws at you” Taniya Keoghan

My mum is the most amazing person and I am who I am because of her! She has never judged me, she just supports and loves me. I left school with almost no qualifications, but five years ago at the age of 45 I was awarded a PhD; in “ part because my mum has taught me that I can do anything, but even if I do nothing she will still love me. This photo is of mum in my gown on the day of my graduation. Through all her trials and tribulations she always smiles. She and my dad divorced in the 60s when there was no social support. Mum went out to work to support my younger sister and I, from time to time she even went without food, so that we could eat, because there was not enough. My younger sister, Tracey, died when she was 31, mum was there for her and cared for her in her last months. Despite her extreme grief, she was there for me too. Tracey had a 10 month old baby when she died, mum stepped in and helped Tracey’s husband to care for her, despite still having to work herself. Now aged 82 mum suffers badly with symptoms of Parkinsons, but she still smiles and keeps going. I love my mum for making me someone who always sees the best in people and life.” Wendy Benson

Emmeline Pankhurst Birthday Celebration Kit - 14th July 9 www.charlottenewson.com Charlotte Newson: Artist and creator of Women Like You

When Manchester artist Charlotte Newson was commissioned to create a public artwork commemorating Emmeline Pankhurst, she had no idea how many people’s lives she would touch and just how a work of art could unite so many women from across the world. Taking just over two years from consultation and design to completion in 2010, Charlotte created the first contemporary artwork to celebrate Manchester born Emmeline Pankhurst – international icon and famous suffragette. The idea for the work was to create a photomosaic of Emmeline Pankhurst, made up of photographs of inspirational women from across the country and from all corners of the globe. Men, women and children sent their photos and stories of the famous and the ordinary women who had inspired them in some way and the resulting 10,000 images that are featured in the portrait are made up of mothers, grandmothers, sisters, doctors, entertainers, politicians, best friends, activists, entrepreneurs, teachers, poets, writers, artists and broadcasters. In short, Women Like You. The submissions for inclusion in the portrait and the personal stories demonstrate huge support for her work and just how important the piece is to its contributors and audiences in celebrating the extraordinary in the ordinary lives of women. The Women Like You portrait was commissioned in 2008 by Manchester City Council and the Pankhurst Centre, who wanted to create an artwork that would give Manchester the chance to commemorate and celebrate its most famous daughter. Charlotte’s work became an iconic image for the 2011 Centenary of International Women’s Day and Charlotte is also one of ‘50 of Manchester’s most inspirational women for International Women’s Day 2011.’ Individual women came together to create the suffragette movement, thousands of women making great sacrifices to ensure that women obtained the vote, surely a basic human right in a democracy. Thousands more women have come together in this portrait to commemorate the inspiration of Emmeline Pankhurst and the inspirational lives of women everywhere.

Emmeline Pankhurst Birthday Celebration Kit - 14th July 10 www.charlottenewson.com Living and working in Manchester Charlotte Newson has over 20 years’ experi- ence of creating ‘powerful images of unusual beauty’. Charlotte is a visual artist using a multi media approach, her work is translated into photography, installa- tion, set design, costume design and public art including: 1999 Audio visual installation at International Symposium of Electronic Art & 2000 By a Year of the Artist award which resulted in Charlotte exhibiting on Gore and De Koenig’s travelling giant Ferris wheel. 2003 Creative director of the official Pride Parade Entry ‘Six in the Village’ (a human rainbow flag with over 100 participants) 2004 Produced the beautiful ‘Ruby Moo’ for the international public art exhibition “Cow Parade” 2005 Designer - Aqueous Humour Bouffon Performance Artists 2008 International Women’s Day Manchester City Council Commission. Commissioned to mark the 80th anniversary of women in this country first getting the vote with the ‘What Manchester Women Want’ exhibition which brought together 16 diverse women’s groups from across Manchester, creating installation, audio, textile and photographic work, exhibited at and Manchester Central Reference Library. 2009 ‘Relocation’, a collaborative project working with and The Pankhurst Centre; to explore identity with diverse women Currently Charlotte is beginning a tour with the portrait and is also working with Walk the Plank to translate her skills into costumes for Manchester Day Parade. 2010 Women Like You. 2011 Charlotte is currently working in partnership with Oxfam looking at the effects of public spending cuts on women.

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