Bessie Drysdale

Dates: 1871-1950

Lived at: 49 Rotherwick Road

Suffrage organisation(s):

• WSPU
• Women's Freedom League (WFL)

Key roles:

• Founder member of the WFL
• National Executive Committee member
• Frequent speaker on women's health and contraception

1911 Census:

• Refused to provide information and wrote a rebellious return, signed as a member of the Women's Freedom League

Militant Activities:

• Arrested in February 1907 when delegates from the Women's Parliament in Caxton Hall marched on the Houses of Parliament
• Imprisoned in Holloway for 21 days

Other achievements:

• Assisted her husband in establishing the Walworth Women's Welfare Centre
• Wrote for 'The Freewoman' magazine which discussed a range of feminist topics including women's enfranchisement, sexuality, and women's rights
• Did campaigning and educational work on contraception and women's health after WW1

Read the full description of Bessie Drysdale here

 

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