Edith Key facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edith Key
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Edith Key. Photo courtesy of West Yorkshire Archive Service Kirklees, KC1060/2
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| Born | 1872 Ecclesfield, United Kingdom
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| Died | 1937 (aged 64–65) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Suffragette |
| Spouse(s) |
Frederick Key
(m. 1891) |
Edith Key (1872-1937) was an important British woman who fought for women's right to vote. People who campaigned for this right were called suffragettes. Edith was a key leader in the movement in Huddersfield, England. She helped organize and support women who wanted to make their voices heard.
Contents
Edith's Early Life
Edith Key was born in January 1872 in a place called Ecclesfield, near Bradford, England. Her mother, Grace Procter, worked in a mill. Edith was raised by her aunts. She moved to Huddersfield before she was 10 years old. Like many children at the time, Edith started working in a mill when she was 10. She left school at age 13.
Fighting for Women's Rights
In March 1891, Edith married Frederick Key, who was a musician. They opened a music shop in Huddersfield and lived above it. Frederick was interested in socialism, which is a political idea about fairness for everyone. Soon, Edith also became involved in politics. She joined the movement to get women the right to vote.
Edith became a very important person in the Huddersfield branch of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU). This group was formed in 1906. It was led by Emmeline Pankhurst, a famous suffragette. Edith was the secretary-organiser for the Huddersfield WSPU. This meant she helped run the group and keep it organized.
Keeping Records of History
Edith was very good at keeping records. Thanks to her careful notes, we have a complete record of the suffragette movement in Huddersfield. Her minute book, which is like a diary of meetings, is now kept at the West Yorkshire Archives Service.
This book is very special because it is one of only three WSPU minute books known to still exist. It is also the only one from outside London. It helps us understand how local groups worked with the main WSPU. It also shows what suffragette members cared about, especially those far from London where most big protests happened.
Protests and Hiding Places
Edith went to several suffragette protests in London. At one protest, she was arrested and held in HM Prison Holloway for a few days. She was later released because there was not enough evidence against her.
The WSPU minute book even has a copy of a letter Edith sent to "dear friends" in Holloway Gaol. In the letter, she wished them strength to finish their sentences.
The Key family's home above their music shop became a secret meeting place. It was the regional headquarters for the Huddersfield WSPU. Edith's son, Archibald, said it was also a "plotting room for suffragette militancy."
From 1913 to 1914, Edith used her home to hide suffragettes. These women were called "mice." They were trying to avoid prison under a law known as the Cat and Mouse Act. This law allowed sick prisoners to be released, but then re-arrested when they got better. Edith helped hide women like Adela Pankhurst, who was Emmeline Pankhurst's daughter.
Edith Key passed away in 1937 when she was 65 years old. She was buried in Edgerton Cemetery.
Edith Key's Legacy
Edith Key's name is still remembered in Huddersfield today. Two places are named after her:
- The Edith Key Centre: This is a place for community groups and organizations that work for change. It opened in 2014.
- The Edith Key building: This building is at the University of Huddersfield. It is home to the Department of Psychology.
See also
In Spanish: Edith Key para niños
