Espérance Club facts for kids
The Espérance Club was a special club for young women in London. It was started in the mid-1890s by two amazing women, Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence and Mary Neal. They also created a dressmaking business called Maison Espérance. They wanted to help girls who worked in the London clothing industry, where conditions were often very tough. The club was located at 50 Cumberland Market in the St Pancras area of London.
Contents
What Was the Espérance Club?
The Espérance Club was more than just a place to meet. It was a safe and supportive environment for young working-class girls. Many of these girls worked long hours for low pay in the dressmaking trade. The club offered them a chance to learn new skills, have fun, and find friendship.
Why Was the Club Started?
Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence and Mary Neal saw that many young women faced difficult lives. They worked hard but had little time for themselves or for learning. The founders wanted to create a place where these girls could relax, learn, and grow. They aimed to improve their lives and give them hope for the future.
Helping Young Women
The club provided a variety of activities. These included educational classes, social gatherings, and opportunities for recreation. It was a place where girls could escape the harsh realities of their daily work. They could learn new things, share their experiences, and build confidence.
The Espérance Club and Morris Dancing
One of the most famous parts of the Espérance Club was its connection to traditional English dancing.
How Morris Dancing Began at the Club
Mary Neal was very interested in folk songs and dances. She learned about the traditional dances being collected by Cecil Sharp, a famous folk music expert. Mary invited traditional dancers to teach morris dancing to the young women at the Espérance Club. This was a unique and exciting activity for them.
The Espérance Morris Dancers
The young women quickly learned the steps and became known as the Espérance Morris. They performed these lively dances, helping to keep old traditions alive. Their efforts even inspired a modern women's morris dancing group in London called New Esperance Morris. This shows how important their work was in bringing back and sharing traditional English culture.
Lady Constance Lytton and the Suffragette Movement
The Espérance Club also played a small part in the wider women's rights movement.
A Legacy of Support
Lady Constance Lytton was a wealthy woman who became very interested in the women's movement. She donated £1,000 to the Espérance Club. This was a large sum of money at the time and showed her strong belief in the club's mission.
Lady Lytton's Activism
After meeting Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence and seeing the work of the club, Lady Constance Lytton became very passionate about women's rights. She joined the suffragette movement, which fought for women's right to vote. She became a leading activist, working hard to achieve equality for women.
