Born: 1866 (Llanymynech, Montgomeryshire)
Died: 1961 (Oswestry)
Biography:
Kate Williams Evans (1 October 1866 – 2 February 1961) was a Welsh suffragette, activist, and campaigner for women’s rights. Born in 1866 in Llanymynech, Montgomeryshire, Kate came from a family of farmers. Her parents, William Dorsett Evans and Mary Williams, instilled in their children a strong work ethic and a sense of discipline. Kate had four siblings, one brother, and three sisters.
From a young age, Kate developed a keen interest in politics. During a visit to Paris in the 1890s, she became intrigued by the women’s suffrage movement. When she returned to Wales, Kate joined the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), much to the disappointment of her parents. By her mid-thirties, she was an active member of the WSPU and had embraced the suffragette cause.
In March 1912, Kate’s commitment to the cause led her to be arrested for malicious damage after she and other suffragettes broke the windows of government offices in London. She was subsequently sentenced to 54 days of hard labor in Holloway Prison. Demonstrating her determination and resolve, Kate went on a hunger strike during her time in prison. Her hunger strike earned her the WSPU’s Hunger Strike Medal and the Holloway brooch upon her release. Notably, her Hunger Strike Medal has two silver bars, one of which is engraved with 4 March 1912, serving as a testament to her unyielding spirit.
After her release from Holloway Prison, Kate remained active in the suffragette movement. In August 1913, she chaired a meeting of the Women’s Freedom League (WFL) in Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain, where she spoke about the differences between the WSPU and the WFL in terms of their policies and militancy. It is believed that her experiences in prison may have led her to join the less militant WFL. Kate continued to play an influential role within the WFL, serving as the chairperson until at least 1917.
In 1939, Kate and her sister Margaret began living together at their family estate, Bod Gwilym, in Wales. They resided there until their deaths. Kate passed away in February 1961 at the Oswestry and District General Hospital in Oswestry. Her ashes were interred alongside those of her sister Margaret. In her will, she left an estate valued at £13,749 0s 1d, a testament to her financial independence and success.
Awards:
– WSPU’s Hunger Strike Medal
– Holloway brooch
Kate Williams Evans’s contributions to the suffragette movement were significant. Despite facing adversity and opposition, she remained steadfast in her fight for women’s rights. Her hunger strike, imprisonment, and commitment to the cause serve as a testament to her unwavering determination and dedication to achieving gender equality. Kate Williams Evans will forever be remembered as a trailblazer and an inspiration, leaving behind a lasting legacy in women’s history.