I think when we hear the words “suffragettes” or
“suffragists” we conclude that women wanted the vote, wanted the chance to be
heard – which, of course, is true. However, I think if we dig deeper into
ourselves, even as we are today with the vote being granted to all women over
the age of eighteen, we understand the motivation and passion behind all that these
women attempted and suffered was about so much more than obtaining the vote.
To me, their fight was about validation,
acknowledgement and respect.
The vote was finally granted to women over the age of
30 in February 1918 and then, ten years later, granted to women over 21 giving
them equal standing with men. When we look back, it is almost unfathomable that
women were not given a voice when so many of them worked in service, retail and
factories all over the country. Were they not affected as much by financial,
welfare and domestic decisions as men?
It is not hard to imagine the conversations that
occurred between women all over the world about the injustice of having to work
and raise children, to obey and service families with a budget deemed
acceptable by fathers and husbands. How could the government not anticipate
that women would eventually rise up? Would revolt?
After all, they were sending a clear message to women
- You Do Not Matter.
Hence the battle that spanned decades bringing women
together to form a solid, unshakeable, force that would not be silenced without
victory.
The suffragists were the peaceful campaigners, relying
on rallies and appeals, letters to MPs and people of influence. Then emerged
the suffragettes, frustrated, angry and filled with determination.
These women
concluded only militant action would ensure they were heard. That it was only
with drastic action that the press would provide space for them in their
newspaper pages.
I have wanted to write a novel with women’s suffrage
as the backdrop for many years but couldn’t seem to find the heroine whose
story I wanted to tell. At least, I didn’t until I began to write the first
book in my Pennington’s Department Store series, The Mistress of Pennington’s.
It wasn’t very far into writing the first draft that a
secondary character emerged, and I knew I had found the woman to tell my
‘suffrage story’. Esther Stanbury was raised by a mother who had been active in
the fight since Esther was a young girl. When her mother died, Esther pushed
forward with the Cause…much to her father’s disappointment.
Banished from her home and sent to live in Bath with
her aunt, Esther’s passion and determination as a suffragist did not falter. In
A Rebel At Pennington’s, Esther grows
and changes, eventually being faced with the dilemma of whether to join the suffragettes
as her frustrations only grow more profound.
I loved writing this book and I loved writing Esther
with all her beliefs, virtues and flaws. A
Rebel At Pennington’s is most definitely a book of my heart and I hope
readers feel that as they turn the pages.
One woman's journey to find
herself and help secure the vote. Perfect for the fans of the TV series Mr
Selfridge and The Paradise.
1911
Bath. Banished from her ancestral home, passionate suffrage campaigner, Esther
Stanbury works as a window dresser in Pennington's Department Store. She has
hopes and dreams for women's progression and will do anything to help secure
the vote.
Owner of the prestigious Phoenix Hotel, Lawrence Culford has what most would view as a successful life. But Lawrence is harbouring shame, resentment and an anger that threatens his future happiness.
Owner of the prestigious Phoenix Hotel, Lawrence Culford has what most would view as a successful life. But Lawrence is harbouring shame, resentment and an anger that threatens his future happiness.
When
Esther and Lawrence meet their mutual understanding of life's challenges unites
them and they are drawn to the possibility of a life of love that neither
thought existed.
With the Coronation of King-Emperor George V looming, the atmosphere in Bath is building to fever pitch, as is the suffragists' determination to secure the vote.
With the Coronation of King-Emperor George V looming, the atmosphere in Bath is building to fever pitch, as is the suffragists' determination to secure the vote.
Will Esther's rebellious nature lead her to ruin or can they
overcome their pasts and look to build a future together?
Buy Links:
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rachel_Brimble_A_Rebel_at_Pennington_s?id=r5RtDwAAQBAJ
Fabulous post. I'm glad you're paying tribute to the women we owe so much to. Good luck with this great series, Rachel.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sandra! So sorry I missed this - your support means the world to me :) x
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