Item 7 - Letter from Charlotte Despard to Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence

2 single sheets

29 Glenburn Park, Belfast.—Refers to her current circumstances and the arrangements for her birthday celebrations. The world needs true feminism more than ever.

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Transcript

29 Glenburn Park | Belfast
12 June 1935

Mrs Pethick Lawrence

My very dear friend.

On Saturday 15th instant I am having my own little birthday party. {1} You were with us last year and did much to make us all happy and joyful.

I hear that you are deeply engaged in Edinburgh now, so I do not even venture to ask if you can come. All I want you to understand [is] that in the midst of our festivals, as in the more serious moments in our life as a league we could not forget you. Therefore I let you know.

I heard the other day that you have not been very well. I do hope and trust that you are not overtasking yourself. You should take rest when you feel it is to be necessary.

I cannot expect to be so strong as I once was, but I man[a]ge still to do some work, and to encourage and cheer those who are young

I am glad [I] came to the North. This is the industrial part of Ireland, and there are many fine industrials here

Some of these days if we meet I must tell you about them

In the meantime I send you my love, complet[e] with an earnest desire that you may suc[c]eed in your present venture. Your husband too! We all know that we owe him much for his generous help in our times of need.

I don’t know what you think about the present situation in Europe and indeed throughout the world. I feel that there was never a time when feminism of the true sort was more needed than it is now

I am so glad to hear that you are taking the chair on the day of the official birthday party

We always miss our dear Dr Knight. {2} The other officers, Miss Underwood in particular, are very good.

Women have not yet still {3} wanted. Women† has not reached her true position as she has in Russia—therefore our League has still its uses.

Earnestly wishing that all may go well with you

Yours in true affection
C. Despard

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A few words and letters have been supplied in square brackets.

{1} Charlotte Despard’s birthday, 15 June, was celebrated each year by the members of the Women’s Freedom League. But the distinction between the party mentioned here, which Emmeline was not expected to attend, and the official party mentioned later, which she was to chair, is unclear.

{2} Full stop supplied.

{3} This word is indistinct.

This description was created by A. C. Green in 2020.