The place in the news was 9 Strathallan Crescent in Douglas where Douglas Borough Council was to honour the work of women's suffrage campaigner with a 'Blue Plaque'.
The article reports that the 'Blue Plaque' was to be unvieled on Friday September 14, at 1 pm by Douglas Mayor Jon Joughin.
The article gives brief details brief details of Sophia's activist work and also relates that Sophia was the mother of Emmeline Pankhurst the leader of founder and leader of leader of the Women's Social and Political Union, for the enfranchisement of women.
The Blue Plaque which was unveiled is not affixed to the property at 9 Strathallen Crescent but is rather mounted on a specially designed plinth. The plinth is on the public footpath in front of the house.
On either side of the Blue Plaque is the following text:
To the left:
"SOPHIA GOULDEN
[nee Craine]
WAS BORN IN LONAN
on the Isle of Man in 1833
In 1853 she married Robert Goulden at
Kirk Braddan and the couple moved to
Manchester where their eleven children
were born.
Sophia and Robert were politically active
and established themselves as members
of Manchester's 'radical elite' taking
particular interest in the women's suffrage
movement. In 872 Sophia took her eldest
daughter, fourteen year old Emmeline, to
her first suffrage meeting to hear Lydia
Becker speak.
Lydia Becker played an important role in the
Isle of Man, which became the first country
in the world to grant votes to women in 1881."
To the right below a picture of Sophia:
"Emmeline left the meeting a confirmed
suffagist and went on to lead the
suffragett movement in the United Kingdom
where women were eventually granted the
right to vote in 1918.
Sophia maintained very close links with the
Isle of Man throughout her life and kept
this poroperty at 9 Strathallan Crescent
where the family spent their summers and
to where she and Robert retired."
The following obituary was printed in The Manx Quarterly, No.9 in 1910:
"MRS. SOPHIA JANE GOULDEN
Died April 22nd, 1910.
On Friday afternoon, April 22nd, at 5 o'clock, Mrs Sophia Jane Goulden, of 9 Strathallan Crescent, Douglas, passed away. She had been in poor health for same months. She had an attack of double pneumonia, from which she partly recovered, although it left her very weak. Unfortunately, on Thursday afternoon she had a relapse, which ended fatally, as stated above. Mrs Goulden, who was 75 years old, was the only daughter of Mr and Mrs Craine, who lived in Lonan, where she was born. They afterwards came to reside in Douglas. Miss Craine, who was an unusually good-looking young lady, was married when only 18 to Mr Robert Goulden, of Manchester, and went to live there. Her mother (Mrs Craine), who lived in Christian-road, finally went to live at Strathallan Crescent. To Mr and Mrs Goulden were born six sons and five, daughters. One son (the eldest of the family) died when 2 years old. In. the order of birth the names of the children are: — Walter R. C., of Manchester ; Emmeline, who married Dr Richard Pankhurst, the eminent barrister and jurist. Since Dr Pankhurst's death, about ten years ago, Mrs Pankhurst's career has been well-known as the founder and leader of the Women's Social and Political Union, for the enfranchisement of women. The next are: Edmond B., of Manchester ; Mary, married to Mr John Clarke, of London; Herbert B., of London; Effie, married to Mr F. Bailey, Ramsey ; Robert, Manchester; Ada, married to Dr Bach, London; Alfred Harold, Manchester; and Eva Gertrude, married to Dr Brown, Flixton, Manchester. Besides Mrs Pankhurst, her daughters and Mrs Clarke are all active workers in the, suffragist movement. Miss Christabel Pankhurst, LL.D., one of Mrs Pankhurst's daughters, is a most gifted lady and has qualified for admission as a barrister. and is secretary of the movement. Mrs Goulden having herself a vote, naturally approved and was entirely in sympathy with them in the matter, and was greatly enthusiastic to secure the vote for women. Mrs Goulden has lived far about 40 years at Strathallan Crescent, and her husband died there on April 24th, 1892. She was a bright and attractive personality. Her children have all risen up and called her blessed, and it was with great pleasure they visited their mother from time to time. Mr Walter Goulden, owing to indifferent health, lived with her. — The funeral took place on Tuesday morning, at Braddan Cemetery. The mourners were: Messrs Walter Edmund, Herbert, Robert, and Harold (sons), Mrs Clarke, Mrs Bailey, and Mrs Bach (daughters), and the Misses Sylvia, and Phyllis Bailey (granddaughters) ; Mr T. Kelly, Mr James Craine, Mr A. M. Jackson, Mr W. C. Holloway, Dr Faraker (Peel), Mr S. K. Broadbent, Mr P. White, and others. The Rev C. E. Barlow officiated at the church and graveside. Many beautiful wreaths were sent by relatives and friends. — The funeral arrangements were efficiently carried out by Messrs J. and J. Spence and Co., of Athol-street."
The plaque carries the following text:
'DOUGLAS BOROUGH COUNCIL
HOME OF
SOPHIA GOULDEN
1833 - 1910
Poliyival activist
and mother of
Emmeline Pankhurst
COONCEIL VLALLEY CORPAGH DOOLISH"
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