#pitbrow

[goldenstarprincesses]

A. Kirkland- Pitbrow Woman, '81

In the last month or so, my interest in nyo!England has blossomed. Yet, I have long disliked the canon stylization of the character.

Ms. Alice Kirkland has never been one to shy away from physical labor or the harsh realties of her own people. Even at the height of her international power, it was rare that- unless directly requested by the monarch or prime minster- that she lived among the aristocrats for long periods of time. A stark difference between her and her French counterpart. While her rebellious days as a sailor were behind her, throughout the 1800s it was not uncommon to find her either in the mines, in a factory, or tending to her own country estate farm.

References and Inspirations bellow cut, Programs used: MS Paint and Krita

I could not have done any of this without these references.

[bygonely]

Wigan’s Pit Brow Women: Photos Depicting Poor Working Conditions Of Women Miners In Victorian England

[reconditarmonia]

Various photographs by Christina Broom from women’s suffrage demonstrations. As it was recently the centenary of women being granted the vote, the Museum of London did, as I understand, a large exhibition on the suffrage movement. I didn’t see the exhibit in person (although I did catch some of the items from the collection in their general display later on), but a lot of these photos ended up in a Google exhibit, and I’m fascinated by the public-relations and performance aspects. Here are some photos of marches for women’s suffrage which attempted to show that women who lacked, and who wanted, the vote were present across the social and economic spectrum; they reminded me, also, of medieval guild processions with the use of emblems.

Tumblr ate my captions the first time, so here is my attempt to re-create them :|

1. NUWSS Procession 13/06/1908. A mass demonstration intended to show that there was widespread support for women’s suffrage, from all areas and walks of life. The “Homemakers” banner depicted here was also intended to encompass servants, and the reverse entreated to “Remember their homeless sisters.”

2. NUWSS Procession 13/06/1908. This contingent is of women writers. A number of the marchers under this banner were authors of suffrage drama, a movement intended to encourage support for women’s suffrage through theatre.

3. Pageant of Women’s Trades and Professions 27/04/1909. Representatives of “voteless” trades and professions marched, the procession taking over half an hour to pass, into the Albert Hall to join the delegates of the International Woman Suffrage Conference. Here, pitbrow women (in shawls) and spinners and other textile workers march with the clothing or tools emblematic of their trades.

4. Pageant of Women’s Trades and Professions 27/04/1909. Nurses and midwives in their work attire. Sixty-three trades and professions were represented in the march, with approximately a thousand marchers.

5. Pageant of Women’s Trades and Professions 27/04/1909. Doctors and surgeons in academic dress, one carrying a caduceus and others carrying lanterns on poles wound with evergreens, with which the procession was lit, with nurses at rear.

6. Pageant of Women’s Trades and Professions 27/04/1909. Actresses (with banners of theatrical masks) and musicians.

7. Pageant of Women’s Trades and Professions 27/04/1909. Journalists. I don’t know if they’re holding newspapers as emblems, suffrage literature, or both.

8. Pageant of Women’s Trades and Professions 27/04/1909. Clerks and graduates. Other professions represented included female farmers, gardeners, waitresses, dressmakers, laundresses, printers, teachers, and chain makers.

9. Pageant of Women’s Trades and Professions 27/04/1909. Pottery workers.

10. Pageant of Women’s Trades and Professions 27/04/1909. Painters and artists, with brush and palette emblems and some stunning hats. Banner at rear reads “Bread Winners Demand the Vote”.

1/?