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Launch of pamphlet on local suffragette
Tuesday, 3 March, 2009
Last night a celebration in advance of International Women's Day* took place at 1 Martello Terrace, home of Liz McManus TD. The evening was in honour of the achievements of Bray resident Pauline Adams, nee Colclough (1874-1975). Pauline Colclough/Adams grew up in 8, Prince of Wales Terrace, Bray and went on to become one of the leading suffragists in the US involved in the campaign for extending the right to vote to women. This campaign led to the passing of the 19th Amendment in 1920.
Launching a pamphlet on Pauline Adams, Nessa Childers Labour MEP candidate said,
"It is my great pleasure to be here this evening to honour Pauline Adams. Born Pauline Colclough in Bray, 1874, this woman spent her childhood playing on the Bray seafront, emigrated with her family to America in 1890s, and went on to become of the leading suffragettes in the US. Her arrest in 1917, along with 12 other suffragettes, led to the passing of the 19th amendment and the right to vote for women.
“I confess that up until recently I had not heard of Pauline Adams. I don’t believe many people have heard of her. Reading Conan Kennedy’s recent article in the Irish Times I was struck by the story of this native of Bray who went on to picket President Woodrow Wilson and directly influence the realization of a right we all take for granted today.
“It is timely that we gather here tonight in the run up to International Women’s Day to recognise this local woman’s achievements. I believe it is important and necessary that we recognise this local hero and remind ourselves of what we can still learn from her actions."
*International Women's Day: International Women's Day takes place on 8 March and has been observed since the early 1900s. It is a global day celebrating the political, social and economic achievements of woment past, present and future.
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