from Amazing Accrington
Hyndburn Borough Council has commissioned a short history documentary in recognition of less well known pioneering Manchester born suffragist Lydia Becker (1827 – 1890). It traces her life in Altham Lancashire and her inspiring journey from a young girl with a passion for botany to a leading voice in the women’s suffrage movement.
See the film from Amazing Accrington HERE.
Lydia founded and published the Women’s Suffrage Journal (1870 – 1890) and became a driving force in the campaign for women’s voting rights. As well as being a leader in the early British suffrage movement, she was an amateur scientist with interests in biology and astronomy. She corresponded with prominent figures such as Charles Darwin and Emmeline Pankhurst, establishing Manchester as a centre for the suffrage movement. and with Richard Pankhurst arranged for the first woman to vote in a British election. A court case to prevent this failed.
See More information HERE and HERE
A special exhibition at Accrington DOME will open to the public from 20th February and will run every Friday and Saturday from 10am to 2pm until 28th March