Political herstories
by Diane Urquhart
Fortnight June 2000
The assumption that women have played little or no part in Ulster politics is often made. However a closer examination of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century reveals not only a distinctive female political role, but also a perhaps surprising number of politically active women. In Ulster women were active in the suffrage movement from the 1870s, championing the cause of votes for women by the use of both constitutional and militant means. Indeed the activities of the latter in the province, as elsewhere in Ireland and Britain, escalated from heckling and window breaking to hunger and thirst strikes and an arson and bombing campaign which placed Belfast in the midst of what was believed to be a 'genuine revolution' by 1914.
Other women were content to use less dramatic gestures in an attempt to shape the course of politics. In Ulster women were active in unionism and in nationalism in all its constitutional, cultural and republican tenets. For example, the Ulster Women's Unionist Council (UWUC) was established in January 1911 as a female political auxiliary to the Ulster Unionist Council. Led by members of Ulster's aristocratic elite, such as Mary Anne, 2nd Duchess of Abercorn and Theresa, 6th Marchioness of Londonderry, this body attracted women from all classes to become the largest female political association in early 20th century Ireland. With an estimated membership of between 115,000 and 200,000 members by 1913 this body fundraised, rallied and disseminated political propaganda on a massive scale. However, perhaps most interestingly, the council also developed a female slant to unionists' anti-home rule agenda appealing to women's maternal and protective sensibilities with the claim that the security of their homes and well being of their children would be endangered by home rule.
On the opposite side of the political spectrum efforts were also being made to mobilise women. Women were not only active within the Gaelic League and the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, but two pioneering northern women, Alice Milligan and Anna Johnston, attempted to counter the malaise in Irish nationalism during the post-Parnellite era by establishing Shan Van Vocht-an advanced nationalist literary journal of some significance in 1896. In addition to this there were Ulster branches of the female nationalist groups, Inghinidhe na hEireann (Daughters of Erin) and its successor, Cumann na mBan (Irishwomen's Council). Indeed the Belfast branches of both these associations were amongst the most belligerent in the country-combining shooting practice with maternal and domestic rhetoric.
Women were also gradually admitted to the various realms of local government
from 1896 onwards. Indeed from the late 19th century to 1940 several hundred
women stood and were elected to rural, urban, borough and county councils
as well as boards of guardians which were responsible for administering
the poor law. In these positions women tended to perform the most socially
orientated aspects of municipal administration-the care and education of
children, housing and public health. However to dismiss these as merely
'women's issues' overlooks the fact that these very issues were crucial
to the effective running of local government. Moreover some women remained
in these positions for several decades and were appointed to the position
of chair on various poor law boards and councils. |
