Alice Low, OBE (1877–1954) was a British suffragist, who spoke up for peaceful means of achieving women's rights to vote, and fairer laws, including reducing sweated labour.
She was a leader in Edinburgh and Berwickshire National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) and a touring speaker (with Dr Elsie Inglis and Chrystal MacMillan, Millicent Fawcett and others) in the early twentieth century.
(QMAAC) in World War One (and continued its fellowship) and an amateur actress taking lead roles with the British Empire Shakespeare Society.
And she invited readers to find out about the Edinburgh National Society for Women's Suffrage (to contact the secretary of the local branch), where pamphlets could be obtained and new members would be made welcome.
"[4] In September 1908, "with earnest enthusiasm", she spoke at a drawing-room meeting in Ninewells Mains on the unfairness to women of the current legal system, citing the divorce laws and legislation relating to wages as examples.
Low highlighted issues in both factories and shops where women counter staff received rarely more than 10 or 11 shillings (around half of one £ sterling) a week.
[8] She shared the platform with Dr Elsie Inglis and Chrystal MacMillan at another meeting of the Edinburgh NUWSS in the Café Oak Hall in February 1909.
After the principal speech, Low took the opportunity to note that local branch membership of the suffrage society had increased from 40 members in August 1908 to 120 at the current time.
[13] In June, Low spoke in the Edinburgh Café on how men had gained the vote, and the connections between relevant legislation and the industries that employed women.
[14] Nearly 500 people at the Literary Institute in Mid Calder in July were an appreciative audience to hear Low, Dr Inglis, Miss Lees and Wilhelmina Lamond.
[15] In August 1909, Low joined the NUWSS Highland campaign, speaking first in Kingussie, then later in the month in Pitlochry where they had a "disgraceful reception" according to the newspaper report.
[16][17] The same month, Helen Fraser and Lisa Gordon joined Low and Lamond at a Ladies' meeting in Perth jointly organised by NUWSS and the Edinburgh Society for Women's Suffrage.
Low focussed on the issue of the vote in the context of working women, looking at the social aspects affected by the current situation.
[26] Low's prominence led The Berwickshire News to include a profile of her (with photograph) in its "Women's work and interests" series on 4 April 1911.
[32] In reporting her speech outside Younger's Brewery, the Dundee Courier published a photo of Low as an inset to one of the Liberal candidate (Mr Hogge).
[36] "Dressed in black with a small seal hat trimmed with a blue feather" was the attire of Low when she was at the opening of a Suffragist "Fancy Fair" (bazaar) In St Cuthbert's Hall, Edinburgh later in the year.
[37] Writing about Low speaking in Bathgate in November, the West Lothian Courier noted that the NUWSS had over 400 branches throughout the UK, with a membership of more than 35,000 annual subscribers.
[45] The West Lothian by-election occupied Low in late October and early November; she received a "splendid hearing" and "advanced the cause considerably" at a meeting in the village of Fauldhouse.
[49] Low was also reported in January 1914 as having spoken about the Feminist Movement from an international perspective, highlighting improvements in conditions as geographically separate as Germany, India, Australia and New Zealand, noting the positive effect everywhere women had obtained the franchise.
[59] Low took the lead role herself in the December 1906 British Empire Shakespearean Society (Edinburgh Branch) production of Love's Labour Lost: she was described as performing the part of Viola "very charmingly".
[63] Later in the year, Low became a member of the Edinburgh Sub-Committee of the Scottish Committee on Women's Employment; alongside Alexia B Jack and Nannie Brown.
The Gentlewomen listed Low's attendance at Lady Linlithgow's formal opening of the Melville Street workroom where old clothes were refashioned into garments for children.
[68] After the execution of Edith Cavell, Low's recruiting appeal on Castle Street, Edinburgh in October 1915 was called an "eloquent address", as she entreated her audience to show the same self-sacrifice.
A sum of thirteen guineas was collected in aid of the Scottish Women's Foreign Hospital Fund after which the crowd was entertained by the local Silver Band and other performers.
[74] Low collected money in Edinburgh from the Edith Cavell X-Ray Car tour, noting that over thirty pounds had been raised from admissions, donations and the sale of postcards.
The Common Cause reported that the Unit had been presented to the Scottish Women's Hospital by the citizens of Glasgow, and gave a list of places where visitors could see the X-Ray apparatus being demonstrated.
On the 19th, she visited four exchanges, and noted that there was no coal for heating at the docks office; at other sites she commended work done or highlighted improvements needed.
(QMAAC)), Low emphasised the dances, concert parties and excursions that took place to raise morale, rather than the military work the women undertook, which was covered by Dr Letitia Fairfield of the WRAF and Mrs McRae of the WRNS.
[81] In December 1919 Low was invested with the OBE by Prince Arthur of Connaught, in Holyrood Palace's Throne Room which was "crowded to overflowing".
[83] "'Old Comrades' of the QMAAC" is the title of an article in The Gentlewoman in May 1920, and Low is reported as welcoming eighty former members of the organisation, including fellow medal winners.