Centenary of women winning right to vote to be marked in Mayo

A CONFERENCE for women will take place next weekend at the Charlestown Art Centre and it is entitled "A Celebration of Women’s role in the shaping of Irish History."

It will mark the centenary of women obtaining the right to vote.

The Suffragettes of 1918 were formed by women who were not allowed to vote in parliamentary elections and fought to gain that right. In the early 20th century, activist groups united and fought for women’s right to vote (‘suffrage’).

The term ‘suffragette’ was first used by the Daily Mail in 1906. It was intended as a derogatory name for an activist group run by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters.

The Suffragettes rejected political powerlessness and engaged in a campaign of public protest. These protests sometimes involved violence – ranging from window breaking and arson to bombings.

Many Suffragettes were imprisoned. Several went on hunger strikes in protest, and were force-fed by prison authorities, suffering treatment which could nowadays amount to that of inhuman Parliament even passed a law known colloquially as the ‘Cat and Mouse Act’ to deal with hunger striking Suffragettes.

This law allowed for the early release of women who were so weakened by hunger striking that they were at risk of death.

They were recalled to prison once their health recovered, so the process could begin again. In 1918 women would gain the right to vote the right to vote and stand for election is recognized as a fundamental human right under Article 3 Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Women from all walks of life will talk on various issues of starting on the Friday with registration which will be followed by the lighting of the fire of Liberty and the releasing of balloons into the air.

This will be followed by a wine reception and official opening of the conference by Councillor Annie Mae Reape

The screening of the suffragette will also take place in the Charlestown Art Centre followed by the keynote speaker of the evening, Dr. Miriam Moffatt, concluding with music by the Devaney family.

On Saturday registration will begin at 9 a.m. Speakers will include Noirin A. Gannon, Sue Zajac archaeologist with Mayo County Council, Sheila Moylette (actress), Carol Beirne, facilitor in life to self-care to wellness, and Jean Cross, author.

The keynote speaker is Anne Chambers, author of many works including the life of Grace O Malley. Other speakers include Bairbre Ni Fhloinn of the Irish Folklore Department, Senator Rose Conway Walsh and Senator Michelle Mulherin.

Booking is advisable. For further information can contact Noirin at (086) 3836078 or the Charlestown Library at (094) 9255934