Edith How-Martyn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edith How-Martyn
|
|
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg)
Edith How-Martyn in 1914
|
|
| Born |
Edith How
7 June 1875 London, United Kingdom
|
| Died | 2 February 1954 (aged 78) Sydney, Australia
|
| Nationality | British |
| Education | University College, Aberystwyth |
| Occupation | Suffragette |
| Spouse(s) |
George Herbert Martyn
(m. 1899) |
| Children | none |
Edith How-Martyn (born Edith How; 17 June 1875 – 2 February 1954) was an important British suffragette. A suffragette was a woman who fought for the right to vote. Edith was a member of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU). In 1906, she was arrested for trying to give a speech in the House of Commons. This was an early example of suffragette action. Later, she worked with Margaret Sanger on important world conferences. She spent her final years in Australia.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Edith How was born in London in 1875. Her parents were Edwin and Ann How. Her father worked as a grocer. Edith's older sister, Florence Earengey, became a lawyer.
Edith went to the North London Collegiate School. She then studied Physics and Mathematics at University College, Aberystwyth. In 1903, she earned a degree from the University of London.
Joining the Suffragettes
In 1899, Edith married George Herbert Martyn. She had strong political beliefs. Before joining the suffragette movement, she was part of the Independent Labour Party.
In 1905, Edith became an early member of the WSPU. The WSPU was a leading group fighting for women's voting rights. The next year, she became a joint secretary for the WSPU.
First Arrest
In October 1906, Edith was arrested. She was trying to give a speech in the lobby of the House of Commons. This was a bold act for the time. She was one of the first WSPU members to be sent to jail. She received a two-month sentence.
Founding the Women's Freedom League
Edith and other members became concerned about the WSPU's direction. They disagreed with some of the Pankhurst family's tactics. In 1907, Edith, along with Charlotte Despard and others, wrote a letter to Emmeline Pankhurst. They explained their worries about the WSPU.
This group then formed a new organization called the Women's Freedom League (WFL). The WFL chose to use non-violent actions to spread their message. Their motto was 'Dare to be Free'.
.jpg)
Edith How-Martyn was the honorary secretary of the WFL from 1907 to 1911. After that, she led the Political and Militant section. However, she resigned in April 1912. She was disappointed when the Conciliation Bill failed. This bill would have given some women the right to vote.
Edith, Charlotte Despard, and Emma Sproson met with the British Prime Minister. Edith also refused to pay taxes that only men had voted for.
.jpg)
Later Political Work
After the suffragette movement, Edith continued her public service. In 1918, she ran as an independent candidate in the Hendon general election. She was not successful in winning the seat.
In 1919, Edith held public office for the first time. She became a member of the Middlesex County Council. She served in this role until 1922.
International Conferences
Edith met Margaret Sanger in 1915. Sanger's ideas impressed her greatly. In 1927, Edith helped organize the World Population Conference in Geneva with Sanger.
Between 1934 and 1935, Edith traveled through India. She then joined Sanger on a trip to Asia the following year. Edith returned to India several times to continue this important work.
Documenting the Movement
Edith did not forget her work for women's suffrage. In 1926, she started the Suffragette Fellowship. This group began collecting and documenting the history of the suffragette movement.
She continued this work for many years. When World War II began, she moved to Australia with her husband. There, she set up a local branch of the Suffragette Fellowship.
Edith How-Martyn had a stroke and passed away in an Australian nursing home. She died on 2 February 1954.
Posthumous Recognition
Edith How-Martyn's name is remembered today. Her name and picture are on the plinth of the statue of Millicent Fawcett in Parliament Square, London. This statue was unveiled in 2018. It honors Millicent Fawcett and 58 other women who supported women's suffrage.
