KP/AK/7/7 - List of attendees from London to the plaque unveiling for Christabel Pankhurst and Annie Kenney at the Manchester Free Trade Hall

KP/AK/7/7

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List of attendees from London to the plaque unveiling for Christabel Pankhurst and Annie Kenney at the Manchester Free Trade Hall

1960

This list includes the names of those attending from London and travelling by train, including, Jessie Kenney (1887-1985), Charlotte Marsh (1887-1961), Lilian Lenton (1891-1972), Theresa Billington- Greig (1877-1964), and others.

3/10/1905 put the start of the militant suffragette campaign, spearheaded by the Christabel Pankhurst (1880-1958) and the WSPU (Women’s Social and Political Union). On this day, the Liberal party held a rally as part of their campaign for the upcoming General Election at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester. Winston Churchill was to speak, supported by Sir Edward Grey, another prospective Minister. When the time for questions from the public arrived, Annie Kenney (1879-1953) stood up and asked Mr. Churchill directly: “If you are elected, will you do your best to make Women’s Suffrage a government measure?”. Churchill refused to answer. This was the moment when the first “Votes for Women” banner was unfurled. The women were then forced out of the Hall and arrested. This was the first act of militancy. Many more followed.

Over half a century later, in 1960, Annie and Christabel's act was commemorated with a plaque. Retired suffragettes, friends, and family members organised themselves to attend the unveiling in one last show of friendship and unity for the suffrage cause.

A digital copy may be viewed at Suffragette Stories: https://suffragettestories.omeka.net/items/show/73