Day conference: 'More than just the Pankhursts - the wider suffrage movement'

The Working Class Movement Library is a radical library and archive preserving over 200 years of working class movement and campaigning for change. We were founded in the 1950s and moved to Jubilee House in Salford in 1987 where the library has provided free access to its collection ever since.The history of the groups, campaigns and individuals who make up our collection at the Working Class Movement Library has a wide range of positions and the Library is committed to ensuring that this range is available for people to explore for themselves. Although respectful debate is encouraged, we will not tolerate sexism, homophobia, racism, transphobia, nor oppressive language or behaviour based on any structural inequality, including disability, socio-economic status, sexuality, age, education, religious affiliation, or gender expression. All who use our space, both the physical Library and its virtual spaces, share responsibility for maintaining it as a safe and welcoming one.

Working Class Movement Library

A one-day conference examining the broad range of campaigns to extend the right to vote which have been virtually ignored in this centenary year. 
The event runs alongside the Library's exhibition Votes for women...or votes for ladies? which opens on 5 October.  There will be the opportunity to view the exhibition, which will display items bought as part of the Library's Heritage Lottery-funded Voting for Change project, at lunchtime during the conference. 
 
PROGRAMME
9.30 –  9.50    Registration
9.50 –  10.00   Welcome and Introduction.  Maggie Cohen (Chair).
10.00 – 10.50 CLASS AND ADULT SUFFRAGE DURING THE GREAT WAR.  Professor Karen Hunt, University of Keele.
10.50 - 11.10    Tea/Coffee break
11.10 - 11.50    VOTES FOR WOMEN?  MARGARET LLEWELYN DAVIES, THE WOMEN’S CO-OPERATIVE GUILD AND ADULT SUFFRAGE.   Ruth Cohen,  Independent Scholar and biographer of Margaret Llewelyn Davies.
11.50 - 12.30 “MY UNYIELDING AND OBSTINANT CHARACTER”:   AN INTRODUCTION TO THE LIFE OF MARGARET ASHTON  1856-1937, MANCHESTER’S FIRST WOMAN COUNCILLOR, DETERMINED SUFFRAGIST AND CAMPAIGNER FOR  PEACE AND WOMEN’S  RIGHTS.   Ali Ronan,  Feminist Historian and Community Activist.
12.30 -  1.30     Lunch, at the Library
1.30 - 2.20 ANNIE TOWNLEY AND MABEL TOTHILL:  CAMPAIGNING FOR SUFFRAGE, PEACE AND SOCIALISM IN BRISTOL 1912-1920s.   Professor June Hannam, University of the West of England.
2.20 - 2.35   Tea/Coffee Break
2.35 - 3.15   SYLVIA PANKHURST’S SUFFRAGE TOURS OF NORTH AMERICA AND THE WORKING CLASS SUFFRAGETTES OF EAST LONDON.   Kate Connelly,  Arcadia University and biographer of Sylvia Pankhurst.
3.15 -  4.05       BEYOND THE VOTE:  THE  WOMEN’S  FREEDOM LEAGUE’S  WIDER  FEMINIST  ASPIRATIONS,  1907 -1962.   Claire Eustance, Senior Lecturer in History, University of Greenwich.
4.05 -  4.30     FEEDBACK                                                                                         
We are most grateful to the University of Salford for hosting this event.
 
FAQs
What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?
The Old Fire Station is a couple of hundred yards from the Library, on the same side of the road.  Public transport options are extensive - the venue is on many bus routes from Piccadilly Gardens and Shudehill, and is a few hundred yards from Salford Crescent rail station. 
Limited parking is available on the rough ground behind the Working Class Movement Library (no permits are required at weekends).  
Refreshments
Please let us know if you have specific dietary requirements.
What's the refund policy?
We are a small charity and have limited admin capacity for this event so are not in a position to offer refunds. We hope you understand...