A permanent memorial to an inspirational figure in the fight to get votes for women has been unveiled in Lancaster city centre.
Suffragette Selina Martin was imprisoned and brutally treated for her actions.
More than a century later, Lancaster Civic Vision have erected a plaque where she lived in Sun Street.
The plaque was unveiled by grandchildren Mrs Janice McCutcheon, Mrs Julie Howell and His Honour Phillip Sycamore CBE, former Honorary Recorder of Lancaster; great-grandchildren Sally Dennison and Thomas Sycamore; and great great grandchildren Jackson, Piper and Ruby Sycamore.
David Cam, Under-Sheriff and Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire also took part in the unveiling.
Selina Martin was born in Ulverston in 1887 and moved to Lancaster as a baby, growing up in Windermere Road. She was the eldest of eleven children and her family later moved to Sun Street.
Selina became a domestic servant. In the 1900s she became active in the suffragette movement, campaigning for the right to vote for women. On 1st April 1909, Selina Martin represented Lancaster as part of a group of suffragettes attempting to speak to the Prime Minister. As they tried to force their way into the House of Commons, they were arrested. Selina was jailed for a month at Holloway Prison.
In December 1909, Selina again tried to speak with Prime Minister Asquith in Liverpool. He ignored her, and frustrated, she threw a heavy stoneware bottle into his car. For this she was arrested and sentenced to two months’ hard labour.
During this imprisonment she went on hunger strike, refusing to eat and gaining more publicity for their cause. Selina was force fed, with a tube being violently inserted via her mouth and into her stomach. She was also roughly treated in prison, being chained to her bed, forced to wear wet clothes and thrown down stairs into a punishment cell.
Selina Martin’s actions show her bravery in campaigning for the right to vote. Her story was shared through newspapers and suffragette publications, gaining awareness and support for their cause.
She was awarded the Women’s Social and Political Union’s Hunger Strike Medal in recognition of her ordeal. In her later life she continued to live in Lancaster, where she ran a tobacconist’s shop.
Morecambe children's nursery announces plans to close during extreme heat
Lancaster MP responds to Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as Prime Minister
Carnforth High School praised as a "caring community" in Ofsted report
Body of man found in Lancaster park
LISTEN and PHOTOS: Armed Forces weekend will return after massive crowds enjoy biggest ever event
Morecambe MP says Sir Keir Starmer "has made right decision" as Prime Minister resigns
Limited edition artwork will raise vital funds for Lancaster community group
Green Heritage Plaque marks first home of Lancaster University
New home revealed for £20m Morecambe West End regeneration scheme
Wooden nests take flight in Lancaster and Morecambe to stop decline of endangered birds
Veterans salute as Armed Forces Day flag raised at start of celebration weekend in Morecambe
Vandals cause delays to aqueduct sinkhole repairs in Lancaster
Extra Care scheme to open in Lancaster
Three people taken to hospital after road traffic collision in Morecambe
Injured police officer speaks of anger after jailed man freed 16 days after sentence
Morecambe woman to brave the shave to help dogs stay with their families
M6 near Lancaster to close for resurfacing
Full line-up for biggest ever Armed Forces weekend in Morecambe
Lancaster District residents thanked for embracing food waste recycling
More gridlocks in Heysham as roundabout resurfacing works 'over-run'
