Edith Rigby

Edith Rigby (1872%E2%80%931948)

Edith Rigby (1872–1950) was a prominent British suffragette and social reformer. She is best known for her activism in the early 20th century, advocating for women's rights and social justice. Rigby was a key figure in the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) and played a significant role in the suffrage movement in Lancashire.

Early Life

Edith Rigby was born Edith Rayner in Preston, Lancashire, in 1872. She was the daughter of a local doctor. From a young age, she was exposed to the social inequalities of the time, which influenced her later activism.

Activism

Women's Social and Political Union

Rigby joined the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the early 1900s. The WSPU was a leading organization in the fight for women's suffrage in the United Kingdom. Rigby was known for her militant tactics, which included acts of civil disobedience and direct action.

Notable Actions

One of Rigby's most famous acts of protest was the arson attack on Lord Leverhulme's bungalow in Rivington in 1913. This act was part of a broader campaign of property damage carried out by the WSPU to draw attention to the suffrage cause. Rigby was arrested and imprisoned multiple times for her activities.

Prison and Hunger Strikes

During her imprisonments, Rigby participated in hunger strikes, a common tactic used by suffragettes to protest their treatment and to demand political prisoner status. She was subjected to force-feeding, a brutal practice that was widely condemned.

Later Life

After the Representation of the People Act 1918, which granted voting rights to some women over the age of 30, Rigby continued her activism, focusing on broader social issues. She was involved in various local initiatives in Preston and remained a vocal advocate for women's rights until her death in 1950.

Legacy

Edith Rigby's contributions to the suffrage movement and her dedication to social reform have left a lasting impact. She is remembered as a pioneering figure in the fight for women's rights in the UK.

See Also

• Women's suffrage in the United Kingdom
• Emmeline Pankhurst
• Militant suffragette