Lace blouse trimmed with purple, green and pink ribbon

Black machine Chantilly type lace blouse trimmed with purple, green and pink ribbon. It is likely the blouse was made by or for a Suffragette and appears to combine the colour schemes of two Suffrage organisations - the purple, white and green of the Women's Social and Political Union and the pink and green of the Actresses' Franchise League. The blouse has a high collar and back opening with small satin covered buttons from neck to hem, the sleeves puffed and padded on the shoulders tapering to the cuff, the collar inserted with purple, green and pink ribbons, the sleeves similar but with wider tapering satin panels, satin shoulder pads, a black georgette camisole lining on shoestring straps.

This blouse was found lovingly preserved in the belongings of Doris Hunter who died in 1968 and it is likely the original owner was her Mother, Alexandra Elizabeth Hunter née Malcolm. Alexandra was born in London on 26th September 1871 and lived in Southampton Row with her parents and 5 older siblings. At the age of 21 she married Archibald Hunter, a much older 46 year old Shipping Agent and they set up home at 2 Crouch Hall Road. The following year Alexandra gave birth to Dora [ Doris] and, by 1901, the family were living in New Kilpatrick, six miles from Glasgow. The Women's Social and Political Union was extremely active in the Glasgow area and it is possible that Alexandra became involved in the local Glasgow & West Scotland branch. If, however, the blouse relates to membership of the Actresses' Franchist League the owner would have been involved somehow in the theatrical profession and most likely a member of the Glasgow branch of the AFL that opened in 1910. The AFL neighter supported nor condemned militancy and many women members were also members and supporters of the WSPU.
The WSPU leaders including Emmeline Pankhurst were regular visitors to Scotland and the Glasgow WSPU branch had a High Street presence in a shop located at Sauchiehall Street. In 1910 the Scottish WSPU organised a major fund raising exhibition and bazaar at St Andrew Hall, Charing Cross, Glasgow between 28th and 30th April.
In the 15th April 1910 edition of the Votes for Women newspaper it was announced the exhibition was to include a Blouse competition. Those wishing to enter had to pay a fee of 6d and there were two categories of prize – one for the best blouse made in material not to exceed 5 shillings in value and the second category for the best blouse made from materials not to exceed 2/6d in value. Both winners were to receive prizes of goods to the value of a £1.
In the same edition it was noted that a ‘Miss Hunter’, member of the Glasgow & West of Scotland branch of the WSPU had organised an ‘at home’ meeting on April 16th at 3pm and 8pm at Helensburgh. It is possible both these entries have some relevance to the blouse which appears to date from c.1910. If the blouse was entered into the competitions this may account for the reason it appears unworn and has been lovingly preserved and cared for by the same family for over 100 years.
Significantly the Hunger Striking Friendship quilt, later converted into a banner that we have in the collection was also made specifically for this event by the Scottish embroiderer Ann Macbeth.