Maureen Howes and Penni Blythe-Jones share their reactions to seeing the finished copy of Emily Wilding Davison: A Suffragette's Family Album for the first time, upon its release.
Maureen: I spent 16 May in whirl of activity because I had not yet got a copy of my book. I decided that if the publisher's books had not arrived by 1.30 pm I would go into town and get a copy that Tim and Alice had said I could have from them as their thank you for me doing the signing at their shop.
I rang Ian Leech who I knew wanted to finally fit in a photo session with me and he agreed that it would be an ideal opportunity to do that at Applebys and that he would meet me there at 2-30.
As we walked towards the shop it was quite a thrill to see the posters on the shop window and copies of my book on display at last I felt it was reality. Something was happening for the local family to see for themselves and so they know that their contribution to Emily’s story is a reality and not still a pipe dream. It was now there in Applebys window for everyone to see.
I was thrilled to actually hold my book and I was dying to flip through it but I had to be polite and talk to everyone. When I arrived home, there was a note on the door mat saying a parcel had been left at with one of my neighbours so off I went and now I have the copies I have ordered.
The rest of the afternoon was spent snuggled up in a fleece reading my book and I was so emotional as it brought back so many memories and thoughts of how each step of the way we brought everyone together to tell their parents and grandparents' memories of Emily.
With The History Press’s fantastic support, we have pulled off a minor miracle after the first publisher said it couldn’t be done in time. We together had brought the real Emily into the 21st century in our very own unique way and I think that we have done her and her family proud. At last a more reasoned version of what was happening in Emily’s life has been published. I cannot thank Cate and her team enough and I hope we will have begun to make a difference to counter the hype and sensationalism that has been Emily’s legacy since her death and will in all probability come to the fore again elsewhere during the centenary weekend. We here in Northumberland have proved our point with our very original and personal version of a very brave lady.
When I went into my office and placed a copy of my book on the shelf alongside all the suffragette books are that I have used for my research it hit home that I had really done it and I did a little dance of joy. Well done History Press, we have started to make people ask questions. My book is going into the schools here and Emily would be so proud of her family and what we are doing here in her centenary year.
From now on there will be “No Surrender”, our Northern voices will be heard loud and clear.
Why did you take on this project?
Maureen: My answer is in the form of a question for you: how could any self-respecting genealogist say NO to such a wonderful challenge? Of course in 2002 when I was asked to take on the voluntary research for the 2003 tribute project I knew “The Suffragette” was buried near my home in St Mary’s Churchyard but my knowledge of Suffragism was minimal. Genealogy and researching the border parishes of Northern Britain were my forte and that was the key that opened doors that had been firmly closed for almost a century. Once I began to locate the present day family members and heard their stories and was privileged to see saw their archive material I was hooked and I knew that we had to find out the truth behind Morpeth’s secret suffrage history.
Penni: Sitting in the International Women's Day a few years ago as member of the Women’s Folk choir the speaker that year, the then Deputy Chief Exec of Northumberland County Council, Jill Dixon talking I was struck by how powerfully Emily had inspired my life.
The personal history of my grandmothers (and indeed my own life) has long had me powerfully committed to the importance women having a voice, their stories and lives being embraced as valid, real and equal. Because of how society at the time they were born the voices, stories and lives of both my grandmothers were lost. One was born in 1909, the other round about 1900 – so both were alive in Emily’s life.
Having been a member of the NCC Emily working Group for some time, offering, last June, to ‘help the centenary happen’ seemed a natural step. Little did I realise how Emily would take over – Emily Inspires! emerged!
How will this book impact Emily's legacy?
Penni: I believe Emily Inspires! and particularly Maureen Howes’ book is bringing new truths to live. Giving Emily back her voice, through the family who have carefully nurtured evidence, her stories, her history, through demonstrating her relevance today
So we clarify and transform the myths and misunderstandings about Emily - finally laying to bed the phrase ‘the woman who threw herself under the King’s Horse’. Replacing it with ‘the woman of joy, passion, artistry, courage and commitment – a true Daughter of Northumberland’
Her legacy helps our next generations, healing, honouring where women’s stories are lost, disregarded and women are ‘dealt with’ as being less than equal. I hope that by inspiring an equality that serves the human race, we will encourage women and men, to take their place and build better, more sustainable societies.