In June 2013 it will be 100 years since suffragette Emily Wilding Davison ran out in front of the King’s Horse at the Epsom Derby. She received injuries that led to her death four days later. To commemorate her act and to keep the conversations going that started with Wonder Women: Radical Manchester, People's History Museum are having a mini season of events.
4 June - 14 June
100 Deeds - Inspired by Emily Wilding Davison (clickable link)
During Museum Opening Hours, FREE in Museum Foyer
On 4 June 1913, 100 years ago, Emily Wilding Davison stepped in front of the King’s horse at the Epsom Derby, whilst promoting women’s right to vote. Some considered her to be an extremist, others a hero.
On the 100 year anniversary of Emily’s deed at Epsom, we are interested in what gender equality means now. In response to the Women’s Social Political Union slogan ‘Deeds Not Words’, we are inviting 100 members of the public to do and share a deed. Come see these deeds on display in the museum foyer. Get involved by visiting 100deeds.co.uk or use the hashtag #100Deeds
A project by Sarah Evans and Jenny Gaskell. Funded by Equity Foundation, with thanks People’s History Museum, Wonder Women: Radical Manchester and The Future.
7 June 2013
From Mary Wollstonecraft to Margaret Thatcher – Women’s History Tour (clickable link)
To commemorate the centenary of the death of Emily Wilding Davison
1.15 – 2.00pm, FREE, booking advised
Come along for a guided tour of the main galleries of the People’s History Museum and discover how women shaped our history. Including the ‘first feminist’ Mary Wollstonecraft, the suffragettes, the peace campaigners at Greenham Common and, love her or hate her, Britain’s first female Prime Minister.
7 June 2013
Emily Wilding Davison and Provincial Militant Protest - A fascinating talk by Krista Cowman (clickable link)
2.00pm after the Women’s History Tour, FREE, booking advised
Most people are familiar with the story of the end of Emily Wilding Davison’ s life. Her tragic death under the hooves of the King’ s horse at the Derby a century ago and her impressive funeral procession have become some of the most iconic images of the suffragette campaign. What is less well known, perhaps, is the work that Emily did for the suffragette movement in the years before her death. When the suffragette leaders were told by Prime Minister Campbell Bannerman to ‘go on pestering’ if they wanted to get the vote, that was exactly what they set out to do, following politicians the length and breadth of Britain to get their point across.
This talk looks at Emily Wilding Davison’ s part in these provincial protests, including her work in Manchester, and outlines their value to the wider suffrage campaign. Krista Cowman has taught at the University of York and Leeds Metropolitan University and is currently Professor of History and Director of Research for the College of Arts at the University of Lincoln. Krista has published and broadcast widely on the history of the British suffrage movement, and has a particular interest in the Women’ s Social and Political Union and its provincial work. Her history of the WSPU’ s paid organisers was published by Manchester University Press in 2007.
8 June 2013
100 Deeds - Meet the Artists (clickable link)
2.00 – 3.00pm, FREE, Drop In
100 Deeds is a project which encourages members of the public to do an action which represents or promotes gender equality in the modern day, then promotes the people’s action. It is a direct response to the 100 year anniversary of Emily Wilding Davison’s fatal protest and is an opportunity for everyday people to recognise themselves as the makers of modern history. Come along and meet the artists to find out more about the project and to view all the deeds collected to date. Get involved by visiting 100deeds.co.uk or use the hashtag #100Deeds
12 June 2013
Emily Wilding Davison: the one who threw herself under the horse (clickable link)
A new play from Cambridge Devised Theatre.
3.00 – 4.30pm, Cost £7 adults, £5 concessions, booking required
A new play from Cambridge Devised Theatre about the suffragette Emily Wilding Davison, which has been specially devised and written to coincide with the centenary commemorations of her death at the Derby in June 1913.
The play is set in the context of the struggle for women to have the vote in the first quarter of the 20th century, fitting with the People’s History Museum’s galleries that display ideas of democracy, reform, protest, power and politics, and Manchester’s vital role in the history of the suffragette movement. The play will also address questions relevant to our own time about the nature of protest, risk, personal sacrifice, women’s education, fanaticism, torture and the role of the state.
