Hannah Mitchell (1871-1956) was deeply involved in administering social change for the working men and women of Manchester, as a councillor, a poor law guardian and a magistrate. She was also a suffragette during the world wars.
Her autobiography, edited by her grandson Geoffrey Mitchell, gives an intelligent and witty insight into social change during the period. Her experiences of encountering poverty echo issues still prevalent today. Mitchell tried to point out that poverty was not due to laziness, but a result of circumstances and environment.
She believed true equality required access to education and culture for all, and the equal division of domestic duties between the sexes.
Mitchell wrote her autobiography in secret and it was only discovered and published after her death. As we approach the centenary of achieving votes for women in 2018, I hope interest in her story and that of others involved in the campaign will be resurrected.
Lisa Gillen is a learning officer for the People’s History Museum in Manchester
Her autobiography, edited by her grandson Geoffrey Mitchell, gives an intelligent and witty insight into social change during the period. Her experiences of encountering poverty echo issues still prevalent today. Mitchell tried to point out that poverty was not due to laziness, but a result of circumstances and environment.
She believed true equality required access to education and culture for all, and the equal division of domestic duties between the sexes.
Mitchell wrote her autobiography in secret and it was only discovered and published after her death. As we approach the centenary of achieving votes for women in 2018, I hope interest in her story and that of others involved in the campaign will be resurrected.
Lisa Gillen is a learning officer for the People’s History Museum in Manchester
