Dora Thewlis

Women's Suffrage Work 

Along with her mother, Eliza Thewlis, Dora was a member of the Huddersfield branch of the Women's Social and Political Union. At 16 years old, she is thought to have been the youngest member of the branch. 

On 20th March 1907, she set off to London with fellow Huddersfield members Annie Hopson, Mary Scawthorn, Sarah Pogson, Elizabeth Pinnance and Gertrude 'Ellen' Brooke. 

Hundreds of women gathered in London to protest. After hours of trying to enter the House of Commons, 75 women were arrested including Dora. Her arrest was captured by a photographer in the photo below. The next day, her image was on the front page of the Daily Mirror.

 

She was held on remand for 7 days at Holloway Prison.

At home she worked as a weaver in a mill for 10 hours a day earning just less than a £1 a week. When she was brought to court, the judge was amazed that she wasn’t at school and had been allowed to travel to London. But the reality for many working-class girls meant that by the time they were 13 they were working full time.

Dora explained: “I came to London last week with the full consent of my parents who, of course, know what my object was… My Mother could not come, and as I thought the family ought to be represented, I decided to come myself. I am old enough to take care of myself.”

Dora's parents were incensed that they were criticised by the judge. They immediately wrote to him to make their feelings clear. Dora’s mother Eliza was a very active member of the Huddersfield WSPU branch and proud of her daughter's actions.

A week later Dora was released and accompanied by a warden back to Huddersfield. An interview appeared in the Yorkshire Evening Post where Dora described her poor treatment in prison and how the taunts of her being a child and ‘baby’ had affected her deeply.