Inspired by Edith
This month we’re celebrating women cycling pioneers, so Breeze Programme Manager Natalie Justice has been delving into the fascinating world of radical women like the Suffragettes, who often used bicycles while they were campaigning for women’s right to vote.
As a Preston girl myself I was delighted to learn about local woman Edith Rigby (1872-1948). From an early age Edith showed her extraordinary individuality. In 1888 she became the first woman in Preston to own a bicycle, and two years later she cycled on her own to Leicester and back – that’s a distance of 300 miles!
In 1904 she joined the Women’s Social & Political Union and worked alongside famous Suffragettes Cristabel and Sylvia Pankhurst. Following a WPSU march in London, Edith was one of 57 women imprisoned for a month just for campaigning for the right to vote. She went on to be imprisoned a further seven times for her activism and campaigning, took part in hunger strikes, and was subject to force feeding. It’s amazing to think that someone went to such lengths to secure something we all take for granted now.
Edith also worked hard to improve the lives of women and girls in local mills. My great grandmother worked at the famous Horrocks Mill in Preston from the age of eleven, so I’m sure she was very grateful to women like Edith fighting for her cause.
Edith lived in Winckley Square in Preston, and though her house is no longer standing, there’s a blue plaque in her memory. When I worked in the city I used to sit and have my lunch in Winckley Square almost every day. Little did I know I’d later be celebrating one of its residents for her pioneering work for women.
I’ll be making my own trip to Leicester on Saturday to support the Cycles & Suffragettes event taking place there in honour of local woman Alice Hawkins. Unlike Edith I’m afraid I won’t be cycling all the way there, but I’m looking forward to a great day celebrating the achievements of early cycling pioneers. If you can get to Leicester, I hope you’ll come and join us.
Natalie Justice
Breeze Programme Manager
