The Rebel Suffragette by Beverley Adams

The suffragette movement swept the country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Led by the Pankhurst's, the focus of the movement was in London with demonstrations and rallies taking place across the capital. But this was a nationwide movement with a strong northern influence with Edith Rigby being an ardent supporter. Edith was a controversial figure, not only was she was the first woman to own and ride a bicycle in her home town but she was founder of a school for girls and young women. Edith followed the example of Emmeline Pankhurst and her supporters and founded the Preston branch of the Women's Social and Political Union. She was found guilty of arson and an attempted bomb attack in Liverpool following which she was incarcerated and endured hunger strike forming part of the 'Cat and Mouse' system with the government. During a political rally with Winston Churchill Edith threw a black pudding at a MP. There are many tales to tell in the life of Edith Rigby, she was charismatic, passionate, ruthless and thoroughly unpredictable. She was someone who rejected the accepted notion of what a woman of her class should be the way she dressed and the way she ran her household but she was independent in mind and spirit and always had courage in her own convictions. As a suffragette, she was just as effective and brave as the Pankhurst women. This is the story of a life of a lesser known suffragette. This is Edith's story.

I was asked to be on the tour for Beverleys book and was more than happy to say yes!

This was an interesting read. I knew stuff about The Suffragettes as most of us do, mostly the big names we’ve learnt about in school. So to read about Edith Rigby was quite fascinating. 

She was a very strong willed woman and I’m glad to know she was fighting our corner so hard, and we now have the rights we do today. My daughter is eyeing this book up so I’m sure she’ll be having a flick through it too!

Thank you so much as always to Pen and Sword Books, Rosie, and of course Beverley, for my copy of the book.

Pen And Sword Books are offering free P&P when you use the code REBEL on their website, so hop to it!!