Biography, Politics, Women's History

Mrs EM King – Campaigning for Women’s Rights Pt 1

Mrs King withdrew from public life between 1875 and 1881 … She resumed her polemical role in public addresses and publications, the most notable of which was her pamphlet, Rational dress; or, The Dress of Women and Savages … In November 1882 she announced that the Rational Dress Society would stage a Rational Dress Exhibition in the following year. As a probable consequence of her too radical views on dress reform, she was displaced as secretary of the Rational Dress Society in early 1883. She immediately announced the formation of a competing organisation, the Rational Dress Association, which would stage the Rational Dress Exhibition which had been abandoned by the Society. The exhibition, held in Princes Hall Piccadilly, opened with an address by Mrs King and ran from 18th May to 12th June, 1882.[8] Though there were large attendances and some reviews were favourable, the extensive newspaper and journal coverage was predominantly hostile.

Politics, Source, Women's History

Feminist Historical Novels: An important contribution to writing women into history

Each writer has used historical fiction in a way that undermines the control of women’s reading. They have produced work that, while ostensibly is safe because it is ‘women’s fiction’, questions women’s place in history. Historical novels have had a mixed reception, not all of it respectful. Again, such a reputation has added to the advantages a feminist writer can enjoy in her writing history. Each writer has written her history inspired by women’s role, actions, feelings and aspirations.