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Women in Swindon rallied by
Frances Bevan of Swindon Heritage
and her daughter Leah, to mark
the life of Edith New, the unsung
heroine from the town who was at
the forefront of the often violent
campaign a century ago to secure
universal suffrage.
The workshops, talks and a rally
on 25 October coincided with the
release of the film Suffragette,
starring Carey Mulligan, Helena
Bonham Carter and Meryl Streep.
Edith New moved to London in Frances Bevan and Leah Bevan-Haines at the portrait of Edith
the early 1900s and got involved New in the new Cambria Bridge mural - see page 24
with the militant wing of the
women’s suffrage movement. She disagreement over the militant profession. We hope that people in
was involved in many direct actions action taken, but it’s undeniable Swindon embody just a little of her
including breaking windows at 10 that they, and fellow suffragists, spirit and fight for their causes to
Downing Street for which she was rallied a whole generation of bring equality to all.”
given two months’ hard labour in women to raise their voice and
Holloway Prison. demand equality.
In the film, covering the increasing “Women are still underrepresented
frustration at the lack of response in Parliament and local government
to the Suffragette campaign from and in board positions in major
1908 and 1913, Helena Bonham companies. With a gender pay
Carter plays a character called gap still in existence the fight for
Edith, scripted as an amalgamation equality continues and we hope
of several activists. reminding people of the Suffragette
Leah Bevan-Haines said: “The struggle will inspire people to speak
movement was successful in gaining out against injustice.
the vote for women aged over 30 “Edith New continued to fight for
in 1918. Full voting rights were not equality after she stopped being
achieved until 1928. active in the Votes campaign as she
“There is controversy and promoted equal pay in the teaching
North Swindon WI celebrates 1st birthday

Members of North Swindon WI celebrated their first birthday
at Abbey Meads Community Primary School on 13 October

swindonlink.com n November 2015 21