Women’s Rights History
Above is a picture of a woman voting for the first time on December 14, 1918 which some women were finally allowed to do. A marvellous step forward, but the story of women’s rights was far from over.
Gertie can come to your school and deliver a day exploring women’s rights history going right back into the 19th century and stimulating discussion about the rights of men and women in the 21st century.
During the day pupils will meet and question many figures from this history; go into role themselves as Millicent Fawcett; and cheer on Emmeline Pankhurst. Towards the end of the day they will meet Miss Isabel Cleghorn, a forgotten significant woman from education and Sheffield History.
During the day pupils will meet and question many figures from this history; go into role themselves as Millicent Fawcett; and cheer on Emmeline Pankhurst. Towards the end of the day they will meet Miss Isabel Cleghorn, a forgotten significant woman from education and Sheffield History.
International Women's Day 2024
Gertie has been exploring Women’s Rights History with Y5 and 6 at Our Lady & St Joseph’s Primary School, Rotherham, to celebrate International Woman’s Day.
The photos show Gertie bringing the history to life with the Y5s listening to Emmeline Pankhurst speaking in America in 1913 and interviewing Isabel Cleghorn.
The pupils learnt what a charismatic orator Emmeline was. Her speech told them the suffragettes’ motivation and story revealing her inspiring, determined character.
The pupils met Isabel Cleghorn in 1919 aged 67 having just voted in an election for the first time. Miss Cleghorn tried to get the NUT to support her motion for female suffrage in 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914. It repeatedly rejected the idea.
The photos show Gertie bringing the history to life with the Y5s listening to Emmeline Pankhurst speaking in America in 1913 and interviewing Isabel Cleghorn.
The pupils learnt what a charismatic orator Emmeline was. Her speech told them the suffragettes’ motivation and story revealing her inspiring, determined character.
The pupils met Isabel Cleghorn in 1919 aged 67 having just voted in an election for the first time. Miss Cleghorn tried to get the NUT to support her motion for female suffrage in 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914. It repeatedly rejected the idea.
Miss Isabel Cleghorn
Miss Cleghorn was a truly remarkable woman who spent 39 years as Headmistress of Heeley Bank Girls School from 1879 to 1918. During that time she devoted herself to making her school an excellent start in life for her girls. As mentioned in the school logbooks, which are held by Sheffield Archives, “the girls are taught to think for themselves, and express themselves clearly.” The school clearly flourished and expanded under her care.
Not content with improving her school, Miss Cleghorn sat on many Education Committees locally and nationally. She was a Poor Law Guardian and active Union member.
Not content with improving her school, Miss Cleghorn sat on many Education Committees locally and nationally. She was a Poor Law Guardian and active Union member.
Becky Stroud, Arts Leader for Beck Primary said: “It was exciting to give pupils the opportunity to question a historical figure in ‘real life’. The buzz of concentration when Miss Cleghorn glided into the classroom was palpable: her presence really held their attention when asking questions and listening to her responses. The sessions deepened their questioning skills as well as their knowledge of how and why women gained the vote 100 years ago.”
An ideal figure to celebrate, remember and inspire our children and young people about the importance of voting, thinking for yourself and persisting.
An ideal figure to celebrate, remember and inspire our children and young people about the importance of voting, thinking for yourself and persisting.
