So. THREAD of Scottish historical women who were both good & bad. First, Marie Stopes. Born in Edinburgh, she wrote Married Love & fought for contraceptive advice for all. Her book changed the game for women in the early 20th century but she was a EUGENICIST. Gah! Awful! /1

Next. Suffragettes. Sheroes, right? But violent. Ethel Moorhead, tax resister & 1st Scottish suffragette to be forcibly fed. Was arrested in the grounds of Traquair house w/ fire lighting equipment. Probs also tried to arson Burns' Cottage. But a brilliant painter Good but bad /2

While we're on suffragettes. Also racist. Scottish organiser Teresa Billington-Grieg was arrested outside the PM's house. Sentenced to a fine or prison she chose prison & was the 1st suffragette incarcerated. Also asked Indian suffragettes to march *at the back* cos *reasons* /3

Lady Anne Mackintosh Jacobite heroine who assisted in the rout of Moy, fooling Lord Loudon into retreat by kidding him on there was a huge Jacobite army. Actual Jacobites: 5 Hanoverians:1500 Impressive.Threatened tenants with eviction if they didn't sign up to her cause WHAT? /4

Missionary Mary Slessor saved lives in Nigeria for 39 years, incl stopping the practice of killing twins & drinking poison to determine guilt in trials. BUT(like all Victorian Christian missionaries) also guilty of inappropriate cultural appropriation. Heroine of Empire. Hmm. /5

So right now, our world view seems to have become polarised and what I want to say with this thread is people are not polarised - they're blended - both good and bad. I disagree profoundly with some of my friends right now. That doesn't mean they should received death threats. /6

Thank you for reading this. I know it's a difficult one. And yes, thank you for asking, Where are the Women is out in paperback soon. I'll be speaking online at this FREE event, if you'd like to sign up to hear me rather than read me https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/?eventId=1c6c663c-672a-4e4c-a1a3-acb601038024

Also I look great in that photo but lower your expectations please, it was four years ago & we've all gone thru lockdown. Shd you wish to be an absolute star you can preorder the paperback here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Where-are-Women-Imagined-Scotland/dp/1849173087/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=where+are+the+women+sara+sheridan&qid=1613725177&sr=8-1 or in a local bookshop if you're lucky enough to have one.

Quick bonus talented quine but OMG. Helen Bannerman, from Edinburgh, wrote Little Black Sambo. I mean, I can't even.

And I'm done. Thanks for all the shares and likes. Listening is the hardest thing, isn't it? Have a great weekend, everyone. And let's all do our best. xxx