Patricia Woodlock

Patricia Woodlock (born Mary Winifred Woodlock; 25 October 1873 – 1961) to an Irish socialist father David Woodlock, originally from Tipperary, who was also an artist, and his wife, Mary Teresa ( Martin). Known as "Patricia", she had three younger siblings: a decade younger sister, Evangeline; an eight years younger brother, Charles; and a two years younger brother, David Sarsfield Woodlock. Charles Woodlock reportedly became a Jesuit priest. Patricia was educated at Mount Vernon Convent. Woodlock became a member of the Independent Labour Party. and later at 27 South Humber Street, Liverpool.

Suffragette activism In 1906, Woodlock was a founder member with Alice Morrissey, of the first Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) branch in Liverpool. although the local press prioritised news on women engaging in violent sectarian protests. Some spontaneous support from working-class men arose, for example, when Woodlock and others were being arrested while protesting at David Lloyd George's appearance in Sun Hall, Kensington, Liverpool. An "obvious foreigner", according to Liverpool Weekly Mercury, a Mr Salinger was remanded in court after having been arrested for interfering with the police on behalf of the women but he was then released. of 62 women who were arrested. At her trial, Woodlock said it was 'an honour for me to go to prison on behalf of my sisters.' Woodlock was described as "diehard" and one of "the most unruly and turbulent of spirits". thumb Woodlock took part in women's suffrage publicity and protest events, such as advertising for rallies in Heaton Park, Manchester on 11 and 19 July 1908 by dressing as human advertising boards with Mabel Capper and attempting to enter the male-dominated Manchester Royal Exchange. The July park events were well supported and altogether attracted 60,000 attendees. These gatherings got favourable or neutral treatment in the press news pages but no mention in the more specific 'women's' pages at the time. for obstruction offences at the protest on the visit of the Prime Minister, H. H. Asquith to Birmingham in September 1909.

Woodlock, with Mary Leigh and Charlie Marsh, were force-fed on hunger strike in the Winson Green prison. Woodlock was visited and encouraged by Christabel Pankhurst.

Support for Woodlock and outrage at her sentence locally in Liverpool, pushed the sales of Votes for Women up to 700 copies in one week. where honorary degrees were to be awarded to two Cabinet Ministers the next day. Phillips jumped out and shouted 'Votes for Women' and an objection to Woodlock's imprisonment. This action was welcomed by Christabel Pankhurst as a 'splendid protest' showing ' pluck and ingenuity'. led by Bertha Elam, a new WSPU member, who was said to be directly inspired to join the suffrage movement, by Woodlock. who were playing to welcome the released women at a public celebration event.

In November 1909, after release, Woodlock and Laura Ainsworth approached the prison doctor, Dr. Ernest Helby, in the street. He had force-fed Woodlock and others and the two women demanded the immediate release of fellow suffragette Charlie Marsh. Later that day Dr. Helby's windows were smashed, but no legal action was taken for the incident and Marsh was quietly released later.

In 1910, Woodlock and Ada Flatman and Jennie Baines were main speakers at a Liverpool event for 'Jane Warton' – who was WSPU leader Lady Constance Lytton in disguise – her aim was to experience arrest, hunger strike and force-feeding (as an ordinary working woman). That event was attended by 300 men and women, who processed on to the Prison Governor's house to call for 'Liverpool to be the first 'to wipe out the stain' of force-feeding.

Later life Woodlock was still living in Liverpool in 1930, but seems to have had no further involvement in leading women's rights movements, apart from maintaining a membership of the Liverpool branch of the United Suffragists, with Alice Ker and Isabel Buxton.

Further information In 1909, the WSPU rented a houseboat named in Woodlock's honour. The boat flew the suffragette colours of purple and green and was moored near the Henley Regatta course.