Rose Lamartine Yates: Local Studies/Archives, Merton

Yates was a social campaigner and suffragette, becoming honorary secretary of the Wimbledon WSPU in 1910; under her leadership it became one of the most flourishing branches of the organisation. She travelled widely, giving lectures. She and her husband made their house in Merton a refuge where activists released from prison could recuperate. Rose was one of the suffragettes at the dying Emily Wilding Davison’s bedside, and headed a guard of honour for the funeral procession.

We wanted to celebrate Janie’s brave actions on our banners by having her name on an axe smashing a window and to also take ownership of the press criticism ‘Bold Bad Ones’ which is now the unofficial motto of the museum!

Creators: Meghan Harrison, Francesca Harrison, Fleur Pook.