Ah, the February Thaw — that time of year when the frozen yard experiences a sudden defrost and the result is a soggy muddy mess. Wellies required. My own yard is resembling a quagmire right now. It may soon be declared a wetlands. So there’s no better time to celebrate a lesser known (at least on this side of the pond) historical event in the history of women’s suffrage: The Mud March.
On this day in 1907 (or maybe on February 9th, as online resources are divided on the actual date?!), 3000 British suffragists slogged through the muddy streets of London in a pouring rain in Britain’s first large-scale peaceful demonstration demanding the vote be extended to women.
Woozles, of course, have a great affinity for MUD. For them, the February Thaw is an unofficial holiday season. So combining their love of mud baths and their great respect for the suffragettes and for all the pioneering women on both sides of the pond who furthered equality for women, the woozles are naming today Mud March Appreciation Day.
So grab your banners, suffrage rosettes, tennis balls and chew toys, and start slogging (and blogging) along with us.
But first, a brief word from our sponsor along with the basic rules: This an open thread for animal lovers and anyone else who needs a smile, a lift after a hard day, or just to touch base with the community. The PWB Peeps diaries provide a respite from the news, so no pie fights from the outer blog allowed. For reasons lost to obscurity, cats are pooties and dogs are woozles. Birdzees and other critters wild or domestic are always welcome. Post animal photos (no snakes or creepy crawlies, please, as some folks have phobias), share pet tales or tails, ask questions, discuss anything and everything, and be kind to one another. : )
Feel free to attach Community Links for Kossacks in Need anywhere in the thread.
Now, on to the march blog!
A Quick Historical Perspective
This little woozle thought we were going to provide a history lesson on the women’s suffrage movement. OK, here’s the Clifford (Big Red Dog) Notes version. And a couple of links for those who are interested in the original (non-woozle) Mud March.
Read all about it!
A “Joint Women’s Franchise Demonstration“ was the brainchild of The National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies. The NUWSS were constitutionalist suffragists determined to win the vote through non-violent methods in contrast to the more controversial tactics of the Pankhursts. The NUWSS put out the call for a “United Procession of Women” and over 40 suffrage chapters and sympathetic organizations signed up. On the designated morning, the women assembled at the bandstand in Hyde Park armed with huge banners. They wore red and white rosettes or hankies pinned to their hats and coats. Of course, this was London in winter, and the day of the march dawned rainy and cold. Still, the hours-long demonstration went on. And significantly, despite the miserable weather, thousands of Londoners turned out to watch the women parade. Most were drawn to the novelty, but the spectacle of 3000 women from all over England and of all classes — from ladies of rank to middle class matrons to university students to shop girls and factory workers — publicly putting themselves forward to march for a cause in which they believed moved the crowd. The first large-scale peaceful protest organized by the NUWSS was a resounding success and led to more marches nationwide.
A Suffragette Pootie ready to march.
P. S. While Wikipedia and armchairanglophile and other online references cite Feb 7th, I am now convinced those citing Saturday Feb 9th are correct. Several period handbills display that date plus working women would have found it very difficult to take off during the work week. Links for more info:
Mud March at Turbulent London Website
Diary from the Mud March
Contemporary Mud Marchers
Now, on to the Woozle portion of Mud March Appreciation Day. Woozles across the nation are marching, frolicking, sporting, and mud-bathing in solidarity. And, well, just because it’s MUD.
Mud: Sometimes It’s Just Part of the Job
All in a day’s work.
But Mostly It’s About Having Fun
Yes, of course that makes a difference.
What’s a little mud when the game is at stake?
Any ditch can become a swimming hole!
Everything’s better with friends, even a ditch. Especially a ditch.
Bliss
Attempts at Subterfuge
Pretend it’s chocolate.
Blame your big brother. “He made me do it. Just step over the puddle, he said. It’s not deep, he said.”
Insist you are wearing form-fitting wellies.
The Difference Between Cats and Dogs
We walked through the same puddle. She looks like that. I look like this.
Then There Are the Consequences (Sigh)
I know I just had a bath. But….MUD.
You mean every time I jump in a mud puddle I end up here in the tub? Every time? Seriously?
Yes, contrary to popular mythology, there joy in Mudville tonight. The blog is open.
