Margaret Davidson (suffragist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margaret Davidson
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| Born | 16 August 1879 |
| Died | 16 February 1978 (aged 98) |
| Education | Modern Languages, St. Andrews University (graduation date unknown) |
| Organization | National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies |
| Known for | Leading Dornoch Scotland branch of suffragists society and volunteer nurse, Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Service |
Margaret Davidson (1879-1978) was an important Scottish woman who taught modern languages in Dornoch, a town in the Scottish Highlands. She became a leader in the movement for women's voting rights, known as the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS). During World War I, she volunteered as a nurse in France with the Scottish Women's Hospital. Margaret Davidson also helped start the Girl Guides movement in her area of Scotland.
Her Life and Work
Margaret Davidson was born on August 18, 1879. Her family had many teachers, including both her parents and two of her mother's sisters. Margaret and her younger sister both went to St. Andrew's University until 1902. After university, Margaret became a Modern Languages teacher. She first taught at Dornoch's Burgh School and later moved with the school to the new Dornoch Academy in 1913. This building is now a primary school.
Margaret lived at a house called 'Oversteps' with her friend, Mrs. Rhyllis Llewellyn Hacon. Mrs. Hacon was also a supporter of women's voting rights. Interestingly, the Prime Minister at the time, H. H. Asquith, often stayed at Mrs. Hacon's home during his holidays in Scotland.
Both Margaret and Mrs. Hacon volunteered as nurses during World War One. Margaret served from 1915 to 1917, helping injured soldiers near the front lines in France. After the war, Margaret returned to Dornoch and continued her teaching career. She and Mrs. Hacon also became leaders for the Girl Guides in their town.
Margaret Davidson remained active in her local community even after she retired from teaching in 1945. She passed away in 1978 at the age of 98.
Fighting for Women's Vote
In 1912, Margaret Davidson became the first Secretary of the Dornoch branch of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS). This group worked to get women the right to vote. The Dornoch branch grew quickly, reaching over 60 members.
Women in Dornoch also protested during the 1911 Census. They refused to be counted in the census because they believed that if they couldn't vote, they shouldn't be counted as full citizens.
Dornoch is famous for its golf courses, like the Royal Dornoch Golf Club. Back then, most golf clubs were only for men. In 1912, some more radical women who supported voting rights, called suffragettes, came to Dornoch. They even confronted Prime Minister Asquith and the Home Secretary, Reginald McKenna, on the golf course. The next year, a local suffragette, Miss Gibson, also approached the Prime Minister on the course and knocked off his hat to protest.
Volunteering as a War Nurse
In May 1915, Margaret Davidson left her teaching job to volunteer as a nurse. She worked at the Scottish Women's Hospital in Royaumont, France. These hospitals were started by Dr. Elsie Inglis, who was also a suffragist. The hospitals received money from NUWSS members and other private donations. Margaret worked there continuously until August 29, 1917, even while hearing the sounds of the big guns from the war.
Nurse Davidson's name is listed on the First World War Roll of Honour, which is a special plaque in the entrance of Dornoch Cathedral. This honors her service to her country during the war.
A Community Leader
After World War One, some women finally gained the right to vote because of a law called the Representation of the People's Act 1918. Margaret Davidson went back to her teaching job and was later promoted to Head of Modern Languages.
In 1931, Margaret and her friend Mrs. Hacon became leaders for the Girl Guides in Dornoch. Margaret continued to help out at her old school for many years after she retired in 1945, by supervising examinations.
Margaret Davidson passed away on February 16, 1978, at the age of 98.
