Elizabeth: The Feisty Feminist – An Evening with Mary Holmes

As part of the Farsley Literature Festival we are thrilled to announce that Yorkshire author Mary Holmes, writer of The Feisty Feminist, will be joining us in the shop for a fascinating evening of discussion.

Mary Holmes has lived much of her life in Leeds while travelling extensively throughout the UK with her business. As a young person she spent two years teaching abroad with Voluntary Services Overseas: this strengthened her commitment to women’s rights and workplace equality. 

Living in Yorkshire allows Mary to indulge her love of walking. She also enjoys reading and is actively involved with the theatre. It was during her work on a Fulneck Heritage Open Day exhibition that she first discovered Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy. 

Early women’s rights and fighting for the vote, Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy led the way.   

Fiffty percent of the population had no legal rights and belonged to their fathers and husbands when Elizabeth was born. British women were powerless, and domestic violence was legally acceptable.  

How did all this change? The book explores Elizabeth’s many campaigns. She was a founder of the suffragist movement and frustration at no change drove her to demand the more militant action of the suffragettes, demonstrating shoulder to shoulder with the Pankhursts.