Mrs. Massy

Postcard with photographic portrait of Rosamund Massy (1870-1947). Beneath is printed 'Mrs. Massy. National Women's Social and Political Union' and the organisation's address. On the back is a handwritten message addressed to Miss Flatman of Liverpool: 'So grieved to hear of your mishap. Hope you do not feel very great pain. Should have been a real mother to you if I were in Liverpool now. I'm invaluable in sickness, I should have been a hospital nurse. Don't worry dear...and don't walk until your poor foot is better. Wendy'. Ada Flatman was a WSPU organiser. Also handwritten on the back is 'Mrs. Rosamund Massey Holloway prisoner'.
Rosamund Massy was the daughter of Lady Knyvett, also a member of the WSPU. Massy's skills as a speaker were used most effectively by the WSPU during by-election campaigns. As well as helping with up to 30 by-elections Massy was imprisoned twice for window smashing in 1909 and 1910 for during Black Friday.
The photograph is by Rita Martin, one of the most commercially successful women portrait photographers of the era, who specialised in portraits of society beauties and actresses.