New book on Manchester's female activists to be released

A NEW book about to be published has unearthed little known information on the lives and struggles of Manchester’s unsung radical women.

“Up Then, Brave Women: Manchester’s Radical Women 1819-1918”, written by local social historian, Michael Herbert, has brought together the histories of distinguished and lesser heard of local female social activists. 

The book provides a “snapshot” overview of politically active women from 1819, the year of the infamous Peterloo Massacre in which four women were killed, to 1918 and the Representation of the People Act.

It is in many ways a compendium of the stories of campaigning women from the area, something that has not been done to the same extent before.

Speaking about why he chose to use Peterloo as the book’s starting point, Michael, who has compiled the information over the last few years, said: 

“1819 was the first significant example of Mancunian women coming together en masse to organise in a radically political manner. It marked the beginning of substantial female organisation in the city which saw women fighting to obtain equality and human rights.”

Aware of the large amount of attention devoted to the lives of Manchester’s most famous women, the Pankhursts , Michael has attempted to broaden public perspective by considering the vital contributions of other local women involved in movements such as the Chartists, Cooperative Societies and trade unionism.

The book introduces readers to figures such as the tireless Sarah Reddish and Annie Marland, mill workers who were present in numerous, critical campaigns in the 19^th and early 20^th century.

It also provides an alternative view of the votes for women campaign, considering its origins in the 1860s and the campaign by working class women which has been sometimes overlooked.

Michael added: “I wanted to give attention to some of the female activists who really deserve recognition for their work.”

“The book shows that people have faced difficult situations at all points through history but at the same time have managed to achieve extraordinary gains. I think the lesson readers may get from this book is that if you want to achieve something you will have to demand and fight for change like these women did.”

Michael will be hosting the book’s launch on Saturday 13^th October at 6pm upstairs at the Black Lion Pub on Chapel Street, Salford, as part of the Manchester Weekender. Details of the event can be found at: http://redflagwalks.wordpress.com/. The book can be purchased from the People’s History Museum and via post. Contact Michael via email at redflagwalks@gmail.com for further information.

By Chloe Glover