Private means

25

Single

66 Park Road South, Birkenhead

WSPU

Complies

Florence Barry (1885-1965) was a committed suffragist, a determined women’s rights activist, and a respected feminist. As leader of the Catholic feminist organisation the St Joan’s Social & Political Alliance she championed women’s rights within the Catholic Church. She was born in Birkenhead on 14th May 1885 to Frances and Zacharie Barry (Bahri). Often described as a Persian immigrant, Zacharie was born in Smyrna (modern day Izmir, Turkey) and referred to himself as a Naturalised British Subject. Mr. Barry was a successful fruit merchant, specialising in the import and export of sultanas. Sources refer to Florence’s mother Frances as a charity worker of Austrian heritage. Florence’s baptism record is not available online but considering her later career and that her older siblings were baptised in a Liverpool Catholic church, it is reasonable to assume that Florence was baptised a Catholic. In 1901 Florence was attending the Convent School for Young Ladies in Upton, Wirral. The origins of Florence’s suffrage campaigning are unclear, but she was first a member of the Women’s Social & Political Union (WSPU) possibly affiliated with the Birkenhead branch. Initially, she did not see the need for a separate suffrage society for Catholic women, but by 1912, her view had changed, and she became a member of the Catholic Women’s Suffrage Society (CWSS). The CWSS, founded in March 1911, was initially a London organisation but quickly grew, and Liverpool was one its first ‘provincial’ branches. Despite then belonging to the WSPU, Florence complied with the 1911 Census (see image). Was Florence’s compliance the start of her shift away from the WSPU? Possibly, but allegiance to the WSPU did not guarantee a boycott of the census. For example, celebrated Liverpool suffragette (see) Patricia Woodlock who was arrested and imprisoned several times did not take part in the boycott either. Interestingly, Patricia also had links to Liverpool CWSS, so perhaps the women’s decision to comply was influenced by their religious affiliations? By 1913, Florence was Honorary Secretary of Liverpool CWSS and in 1915 joined the CWSS National Executive Committee. By 1919, she was leading the society under its new name the St Joan’s Alliance. Under her leadership the organisation flourished becoming a powerful Catholic feminist group. Florence was also a founding member of the Open-Door Council and in 1927, co-signed a letter to The Times newspaper supporting the vote for women over the age of 21. In recognition for her hard work and dedication Florence was awarded “'Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice' by the Catholic Church in 1951. Key sources: Krista Cowman, Mrs Brown is a Man and a Brother: Women in Merseyside's Political Organisations 1890-1920, (2004); Marij van Helmond, Votes for Women: The Events on Merseyside 1870-1928 (1992). Contributed by Jo Donnelly, Women's History Blogger, www.theherstorianmum.co.uk