KP/AK/5/4/2 - 'Annie, the Suffragette who could not be stopped', The North Hertfordshire Gazette, 11/4/1974

KP/AK/5/4/2

Item

'Annie, the Suffragette who could not be stopped', The North Hertfordshire Gazette, 11/4/1974

11/4/1974

1 Press cuttings

Snowden, Martha
North Hertfordshire Gazette

This is an article by Martha Snowden commemorating Annie’s political life, published on 11/4/1974 in the North Hertfordshire Gazette. The article recounts Annie’s first militant act of 13/10/1905 at the Manchester Free Trade Hall and reflects on the debt later generations of women owe to Annie and her allies. The article is prompted by the screening of 'Shoulder to Shoulder', a 1974 BBC series relating the history of the suffragette movement. The piece makes reference to Annie’s early life as a cotton mill operator, who lost a finger on the job and places emphasis on her thirst for reading and self-improvement. Annie’s reading of American poet Walt Whitman (1819-1892), English philosopher Thomas Paine (1737-1809), and English socialist campaigner and writer Robert Blatchford (1851-1943), all of whom share concerns with political and individual self-realisation and expression, is highlighted. Annie’s union work with the Oldham Clarion Vocal Union and her participation in the militant movement forms another focus in this commemorative feature. Snowden also dedicates some thought to Annie’s life after politics, quoting Annie’s husband, James Taylor who says: “To meet and live with Annie was an extraordinary experience. Everyone who met her was struck by her quiet, strong personality. She was one of the most wonderful women in character, temperament and outlook.”

Copyright: The North Hertfordshire Gazette, now the Comet. All rights reserved.

A digital copy may be viewed at Suffragette Stories: https://suffragettestories.omeka.net/items/show/65