New Poem: Tribute To Margaret Ashton

The subject of my latest poem is the admirable Margaret Ashton. Margaret Ashton is one of the often forgotten names in history, but one whose legacy still inspires and deserves our gratitude. A lifelong devotee to the cause of women and equality.

She was the first woman to run for election to Manchester City Council and became the first woman elected to the position of Counsellor in 1908. She played a leading role in the suffragette movement. She was a renowned pacifist.

Due to the climate of war, her pacifism was branded unpatriotic and the City council passed a resolution stating that she was pro-German and a friend of the enemy - the resolution was incorrect. Due to this, her name slipped into anonymity but thankfully she is remembered more and more now (sadly after her own passing). Following her death in 1937, The Manchester Guardian wrote of Margaret Ashton that city had lost its greatest women citizen.

The commentator added, "Manchester should not readily forget what she did in years when the social conscience was less acute, to awaken civic responsibility." The below poem, "Margaret's Message", is my small tribute to a great woman, and my way of trying to keep her story alive.

Margaret’s Message

A Poem By Simon Clark

More than threescore years had to pass before Ashton would get to vote,

This pioneering leading light with vision in her sights,

Cool and calm with a core of might, argued for women’s rights.

More than fourscore years since she passed; Margaret Ashton a name to note,

To fight, to struggle, right the wrong against the hostile throngs,

Raised up women to sing their song, took her seat, banged the gongs.

History mistreated her and left her stranded as a footnote,

Just because she believed in peace, wanted battle to cease,

For every mother, sister, niece: break the chains, be released.

History can’t be rewritten with lies camouflaged as misquotes,

Her failing eyes always could see that mankind held the key,

To solving inequality; a better place to be.

Pankhurst, Baldock, Ashton: “its voice cannot be denied”, Fawcett wrote,

Do not appeal, grovel or beg; make omelettes – break some eggs,

Stand if you fall in the first leg, make them squirm, make them beg,

A lifelong cause she committed to; her heart joined and devote.

© Simon Clark