Fashion, Fury and Feathers: Women’s Fight for Change – Our September 2024 Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were delighted to welcome Tessa Boase to our September meeting.  When Tessa told the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) she wanted to write their early story, they refused to let her visit their archives! To a former investigative journalist, this was a challenge she could not resist . . .

Tessa’s talk shone a light on the intriguing story of women’s love affair with plumage ­ – and of the brave eco feminists who fought back on behalf of the birds. Moving from a polite Victorian tea party to an egret hunt in a Florida swamp; from a suffragette ‘monster rally’ to a milliner’s dusty workshop, we were taken back in time to a world where every woman, of every class wore a hat… often adorned with feathers.

We listened spellbound as Tessa spoke about the feather trade and the inspirational and remarkable women who campaigned on behalf of the birds used in ‘murderous millinery’.  Until recently, the work carried out by these women to stop the trade in feathers, change fashion and protect birdlife was largely forgotten and certainly deserves far greater recognition: Etta Lemon, Emily Williamson and Eliza Phillips of the wonderfully named Fur, Fin and Feather Folk.  We were delighted to find out that Etta Lemon lived in Lee Terrace, Blackheath and although the house has since been demolished perhaps we could explore getting a plaque in her honour?

Tessa’s book on the subject, can be found here 

There is also a campaign to raise funds for a statue of Emily Williamson … details can be found here

“What a wonderful talk! Thanks to the committee for inviting Tessa.  I really enjoyed it AND was “edumacated” at the same time.  Connections with Blackheath too … who knew?”

“I really enjoyed this evening!”

“Fascinating, enlightening and appalling in equal measure.  Food for thought about connections local to here, and relationship with the suffragettes.  Such great determined research.  And very well recounted.”

“What an interesting talk tonight – I really enjoyed it.”