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.
Ryelands Community Connect initiative aims to bring together locals
Twenty vehicles caught speeding during community speed enforcement drive in Lancaster
Councillors call for halt to demolition of vandalised Morecambe 'youth hut'
Coastal pollution clean-up training to be held on Morecambe beach
Man seriously injured at Morecambe pub "making excellent progress" as investigation continues
Vandals target tractors used by King's Guide to Sands of Morecambe Bay to keep walkers safe
MP hopes for improved mobile signal at last as new mast installed in Lancaster
Maternity services at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary officially exit national special measures
Crews tackle kitchen fire in Lancaster
Opening date announced for animal rescue charity's new Morecambe home
Lancaster MP takes on Morecambe 10K in aid of new children's playground
Tributes paid to twice-Lancaster mayor who served on council for 56 years
Dancing Eric Morecambe Statue part of police campaign to warn about AI deepfakes
PHOTOS: Great Wall of China trek raises more than £300K for Lancaster hospice
Another earthquake hits Silverdale as tremors felt across Lancaster and Morecambe Bay
Fire crews tackle vehicle fire on M6 near Lancaster
Poetry in motion as live workshop comes to Morecambe rail journey
Lancaster pupils highlight school crossing patrol road safety campaign
UK wide lettings agency takes over Lancaster student housing firm
Morecambe live music bar gets change of name
