12 Facts About Norah Smyth

In 1912, Norah Smyth joined the Pioneer Players, Edith Craig's feminist theatre company.

Norah Smyth managed to escape capture and go abroad, and only confided the story to her nephew many years later.

Norah Smyth claimed the attack was on an empty part of the house to minimise risk to life and the art works it contained.

Norah Smyth accompanied Sylvia, making travel arrangements and organising disguises, in order that Sylvia could avoid arrest on public order charges.

Norah Smyth remained active in the East London group and when, in 1916, it became the Women's Suffrage Federation, she was chosen as its treasurer.

Norah Smyth was concerned, in her role as treasurer, that as Sylvia became more outspoken against World War I and, later, in support of communism, that it was discouraging donations to the WSF.

The WSF became involved in the Labour Party, and Smyth was elected to the Poplar Trades Council and Labour Party in 1919, alongside Melvina Walker and L Watts.

The WSF became the core of the Communist Party and when the editor of its newspaper, the Workers' Dreadnought, was imprisoned, Norah Smyth alternated as acting editor with Jack O'Sullivan.

For many years, Norah Smyth had used her photography skills to provide pictures for the newspaper of East End life, particularly of women and children living in poverty.

Norah Smyth was one of the leading speakers for the new party, alongside Pankhurst and A Kingman.

The party soon dissolved, and Norah Smyth later moved to Florence, where she had family, and worked as a secretary.

Norah Smyth continued to correspond with Pankhurst until her death.