I was delighted to see a report in The Guardian that a statue to Lady Rhondda is to be unveiled in Newport, South Wales. I was intrigued to find out who had commissioned it, a group called Monumental Welsh Women. This inspiring group of activists are working on five statues commemorating Welsh Women, including Elaine Morgan, author of The Aquatic Ape; Elizabeth Andrews, political activist for women’s rights; Cranogwen, master mariner and poet; and Betty Campbell, the first black headmistress in Wales.
Lady Rhondda was one of the founders of the Women’s Provisional Club and would have been well known to Dora. In fact, it may be that it was in Geneva in 1930 that they first met, before Dora joined the WPC. Dora was there with Everard Greene for a statistical conference at the International Labour Organisation and met Ethel Wood, co-founder of the WPC, who was probably there on Six Point Group business with Lady Rhondda and Helen Archdale. They were campaigning for the League of Nations to sign an Equal Rights Treaty for women.
My cousin in Ireland has just sent me a picture of a wreath that she has put on the Greene family grave in Mount Jerome cemetery, resting place of Henry William (Dora’s grandfather), Henry R, Charles and Gertrude, all uncles and aunts. I’m so pleased that their lives are being remembered at Christmas. Thankyou Sandra and Merry Christmas to everyone!
A Bitter Equation 