Dewsbury NUWSS Branch

Branch President

'Mrs Leonard Firth' a.k.a. Emily Jane Firth.

Branch Secretary

Ruth Law (from 1913)
Edith Pickersgill (from 1913)

Other members:

Helen Beatrice Walker

In June 1904, the Women's Suffrage Record reported:

In Dewsbury, after an excellent meeting a society is being formed, with a nucleus of 100 associates. The work has been well begun in Batley.

Further references to the society have yet to be found but the NUWSS was very active in the area during the 1908 parliamentary by-election in Dewsbury. See: Parliamentary by-election - Dewsbury 1908

However, The Common Cause newspaper reported the formation of a Dewsbury branch in October 1909:

The Common Cause, 21st October 1909

DEWSBURY
On October 12th a drawing-room meeting was kindly given by Miss Walker, of Lees House, when a branch of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies was formed in Dewsbury.
Mrs. Connon of Leeds was in the chair, and gave an interesting address, explaining some if the aims advocated by the Suffrage Society, and paving the way for Mrs. Parrish, who spoke at some length, and aroused the interest and sympathy of her hearers in a cause which has provoked so much discussion through the length and breadth of the country. A further interest was added by the fact that a lady from New Zealand was present, one who had witnessed the good effect that Women's Suffrage had had in her own country.
Literature dealing with the subject of Women's Suffrage was eagerly bought, and the meeting promised to have good results in furthering the cause which is working so well in some of our Colonies at the present time.

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Two general elections were held in Dewsbury in 1910. The NUWSS were active fighting for Liberal candidate Walter Runciman, whilst the WSPU were trying to 'Keep the Liberal Out!'. Find out more here: General Elections - Dewsbury 1910

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The Common Cause, 22nd February 1912

DEWSBURY.-A largely attended meeting was held on February 7th in the Town Hall. Mrs. Henry Fawcett LL.D., was the chief speaker. Mrs. Parrish of Leeds took the place of Dr. Jane Walker who was unable to be present, and Mrs. Connon of Leeds presided. It was announced from the chair that the Mayor and Mayoress of Batley [Smith and Julia Ann Ward]- The latter a suffragist of thirty years' standing-had written expressing regret at their inability to be present. Amongst those on the platform were the Mayoress of Dewsbury (Miss Greenwood), Lady Oldroyd, Miss Walker, Mrs. Leonard Firth, Mrs. Pritchard, Mrs. T.H. Thomson (president of the Dewsbury Co-operative Women's Guild) Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Holme, Major Walker, Mr. R. Clough (prospective Conservative candidate for Dewsbury), Mr. R. Walker (Mirfield), and Drs. Potter and Russell (Batley). Mrs. Fawcett in a statesmanlike speech, showed the urgent need for women's influence in legislation by their votes, dealt with the present position of the question and proposed the resolution. Mr. R. Clough (prosepective Conservative candidate) in moving a vote of thanks to the speakers expressed his indignation that women were considered capable of canvassing and yet not fit to exercise the vote.

The Common Cause, 27th December 1912

DEWSBURY.-In the Autumn, by invitation of Miss H.B.Walker, a successful Garden Sale was held at Lees House in aid of the funds of the Society. On Nov. 28th a well-attended meeting was held in Exchange Hall. The Chair was taken by the Rev. H. T. Hayman, Vicar of Thornhill. Miss Margaret Robinson proposed a Resolution calling upon the Government "To amend the Franchise Bill so as to include women in its scope." This was seconded by Mr. R. Clough, prospective Unionist candidate for Dewsbury; and supported by Mr. Ronald Walker, Mirfield, and Councillor T. Myers, Secretary of the Dewsbury Federation of the I.L.P. On Tuesday, Jan. 28th, Miss Helen Fraser will address a meeting in Dewsbury. The Editor of the "Dewsbury Reporter" has offered to place a section of his paper at the disposal of the Committee of the Suffrage Society, if they will contribute articles on questions which are of interest to women. The Committee have accepted the offer, and articles will be sent every fortnight. The first paper will be contributed on January 4th by Dr. Maud Kerslake on, "The Present Position of Medical Women."

The Common Cause, 21st February 1913

DEWSBURY.-On January 28th, a successful drawing-room meeting was held in Trinity Hall parlour. An address was given by Miss Helen Fraser to an audience of sixty women. After the meeting thirteen new members joined the Society. Mrs. Stubley, ex-Mayoress of Batley, took the chair. In the evening Miss Helen Fraser gave an interesting address in the Exchange Hall, and after the meeting some new members joined. At the annual meeting of the society, Dr. Maud Kerslake was elected President, and Miss H.B. Walker, Treasurer for the ensuing year.

The Common Cause, 26th January 1917

DEWSBURY W.S.S.-A great number of people were entertained at an "At Home", held on January 18th, in the Mayor's Reception Rooms at the Town Hall. The Hostesses were Mrs. Edwin Lee and Miss Walker. The programme of the evening consisted of pianoforte selections from Chopin. Present 120-130. Miss Kathleen Frise Smith acted as pianist, and the music was very much enjoyed. Later Mrs. Holme explained the work of the Scottish Women's Hospitals, and a collection was made, which realised £24 8s. 3d.

Women's Suffrage in Kirklees