Letter from Elizabeth Bloxham to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 24 February 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Elizabeth Bloxham

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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.

 National Library of Ireland Sheehy Skeffington Papers, Collection List No. 47, MS 33,604/16-15 https://letters1916.ie/item/994 English Elizabeth Bloxham 1916-02-24 52 Regent Street, Newtownards, Co. Down, Ireland Hanna Sheehy Skeffington Female Country and City Life Politics Culture and the Arts

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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 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 Elizabeth Bloxham Letter from Elizabeth Bloxham to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 24 February 1916 52 Regent Street, Newtownards, Co. Down, Ireland Letter from Elizabeth Bloxham to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 24 February 1916