Edith Exhibition opens on 8th March.

The brand new Edith Smith exhibition has it’s opening day on 8th March to coincide with International Women’s Day.

Amanda Schonhut, Fundraising Director said: “Thanks to the generous donations of the Grantham Public our team has designed and created the Edith Smith Exhibition.

“From what was a challenge on a BBC Lincolnshire radio interview has turned into a labour of love.

“With the support of Lincolnshire Police, the generosity of the Grantham public and the hard work of our team at the Museum, we have put together a lasting tribute to Edith”.

Edith Smith wasthe first official police woman in the British Isles, sworn in at Grantham Police Station in the Guildhall in November 1915 to deal with prostitutes, female witnesses and children.

She became a midwife when her husband died, before joining the Woman’s Police Volunteers in 1914 when the war broke out. The Woman’s Police Volunteers eventually reformed as the Woman’s Police Service.

Edith, who lived in Rutland Street, was given the powers of arrest as a result of a meeting at which Commandant Margaret Damer Dawson read a report of activities in Grantham and the Bishop of Grantham declared that policewomen deserved national support.

Dawson had run a volunteer service but Smith was the first to receive pay. Once established, she earned £2 a week.

The exhibition will be opened at 2pm on Sunday 8th March and will be a new permanent feature in the Museum.You can contact the Museum on 01476 568783 or email amandaschonhut@granthammuseum.org.uk

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