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52 Regent Street Newtownards 24th Feb 1916 Dear Mrs Sheehy—Skeffington I am sorry it is quite
impossible for me to get to the
Mansion House meeting. I am
a full time teacher here & on that
particular day have two
2 hour classes & there is not anyone
who could act as a substitute. I was surprised that
you should regard me as a
suitable speaker, because
tho' I am a convinced nationalist
& suffragist I do not think
I have any qualifications to
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speak on Financial subjects
beyond those of a rank &
files. You, on the contrary
— have, I am sure, an intimate
Knowledge of every aspect
of the subject, indeed if
I wanted to be coached in it
I'd apply to you. I feel greatly cut off
here & find it difficult at
present to get work in any
other part of Ireland. With kind regards
sincerely yours Elizabeth Bloxham
In this letter Bloxham informs Skeffington that she is unable to attend a meeting
at the Mansion House as she must teach two classes and cannot arrange a substitute.
While noting that she is a convinced nationalist and suffragette Bloxham is surprised
that she was asked to attend the meeting as a speaker as she does not believe she
has the qualifications to speak on financial matters beyond the rank and file. Elizabeth
Bloxham (1877 - 1962) was an Irish feminist and suffragist. She served as the national
organizer for Cumann na mBan in the lead up to the 1916 Easter Rising and up through
the War of Independence.Hanna Sheehy Skeffington (1877 - 1946), suffragette, nationalist,
language teacher, was the widow of Francis Sheehy-Skeffington (who was summarily executed
on 26 April 1916). She was active during the Rising, bringing food to the Volunteers
in the G.P.O. and the College of Surgeons. Four days passed before she found out what
had happened to her husband, Francis (1878-1916), and it wasn't until almost two weeks
later that the full details of his execution emerged.