Rouse Ye Women

Rouse Ye Women

In the chainshops of Cradley Heath in 1910, a fire is growing among the women.

Connie Williams

Let me introduce you to Connie Williams, on the front cover of Rouse Ye Women - Cradley Heath Women Chainmakers Fight for Change! She holds the banner ‘Fight for Change’ high above her head. Backed by the chainmaking women, fists raised, chain and ‘ommers (hammers) aloft. A girl of 12, almost 13, she spends her days in the chainshop at the back of her house, no.8, Anvil Yard. Her young sister Iris, looks on in the corner of the chainshop while their mother a chainmaker, works long days barely scraping by.

Rouse Ye Women - Cradley Heath Women Chainmakers Fight for Change!  tells the story of the chainmaker women of Cradley Heath and their fight for minimum wage in 1910.

Storyboard pages 39 -46.

The project was born during the Illustration Masters with Falmouth University between 2021 & 2023. Researching my local area, the Black Country, unearthed the story of the Cradley Heath women chainmakers. Currently the project consists of 5 finished double-page spreads, contents page, end pages and cover jacket. A full 60-page storyboard encapsulates the historical story.

Cradley Heath Women - acrylic on an envelope

Stepping back into the history of the Black Country, through the perspective of its inspiring women and their triumph with the 1910 strikes. Rouse Ye Women celebrates female power through a layered visual artefact. Marketed for key stage 2 children, the female narrative, gritty visual language and the potential to inspire the next generation of strong women, drove progress forward. Connie and her family at the centre of the plot showcases the working-class roots of the tale and the importance of representation for girls in the local area and beyond.

Event chainmaker - acrylic on replica of 1910 poster

The narrative is held on pages of recycled paper and found surfaces. Illustrations layered with mixed-materials and textures. An eco-friendly choice, but also reflective of the history documented and the difficult circumstances the women were experiencing. An implied narrative through visual props, textures, colours and layering. Focusing on earthy tones, gritty surfaces and gestural mark-making to create depth to the characters and develop an artefact in the form of a picturebook, an object that feels part of the history the narrative is reflecting.

Historical characters at the Chainmakers festival 2022 - watercolour & ink

Going to festivals, museums, exhibitions, local libraries, online research and talking with local historians, I was able to gather a breadth of visual research and historical information to build the narrative. Experiencing events in person gave me a sense of what it may have felt like being part of the strike in 1910, and how the trade unionists used the strong community spirit to encourage strike action. Steam engines were a new invention at the beginning of the industrial revolution and changed the future of working lives. Seeing examples of engines up close gave gravitas to the importance they played in industry. The design elements were functional and decorative adding to their grandeur.

Typography development

Typography through the history of the Black Country and specifically the chainmaker’s strike, was poignant. The different styles and placement used in 1910 inspired the typography in Rouse Ye Women using documents, photos and local architecture as reference. Further research of union banners, signage and the semiotics used developed the style and composition of typography.

Mary McArthur profile page snapshot

Creating visual props as part of the implied narrative in the illustrations, generates a historical artefact for children and their caring adults to delve into. Replicas of genuine photos from the time of the strike, relating to the individual character profiles and historical moments was part of this. Using pencil, ink, coffee stain, and tearing to age the paper. Layering these photo replicas with other visual props, narrative illustrations, paper textures and the text brings together the visual language of Rouse Ye Women. Many key people were involved with the chainmakers strikes. Although the main focus of the narrative is on the fictional Connie, showcasing the other real-life characters, such as Mary MacArthur, who were vital for to the fight for minimum wage, emphasizes the historical importance to the plot.

Across the pages, the community of women chainmakers dominate the narrative. Getting their personalities and lifestyles across in the illustrations was important, to reflect the different characters and social-status between chainmakers, trade unionists and the bosses. the narrative comes to a triumphant end with the chainmakers winning the fight for minimum wage. As reported at the time, many of the chainmakers were relieved but also deflated after such a pivotal moment in their lives and in history. This deflation was reflected in the body language and colour palette on the related spreads.

Monument at Mary MacArthur Gardens - brushpen

The story may have ended, but the narrative continues, detailing what happened after the fight was won. The history lesson resumes, showing the readers that throughout history, women from all facets of life and all cultures, have made an impact in their fields. Sharing the history of these Black Country women and their triumph in contempory settings helps children to understand the social challenges we all face today. Promoting women’s stories and bringing their faces to the forefront showcases strong personalities and allows females to take up space and not be reduced by the patriarchy. Acknowledging women’s humanity and leaning into their strengths gives way for progress in the fight for equality. Demonstrating this through implied narratives and tactile artifacts echoes the rich lives of the characters and the history within the pages of Rouse Ye Women. Discussing great women throughout history, especially those since the chainmakers, gives a broad overview of the incredible heroines across multiple cultures and disciplines, inspiring girls to stand on the shoulders of giants

The need for this story to be more widely known is not only relevant for local people but also for the wider community of young girls and their supporters. Contemporary study needs to occur in the classroom of our next generation of great people, public spaces where access is available for everyone and in the homes of those without knowledge of our working-class heritage that built the country to its greatness in the industrial revolution.

If you would like to know more or discuss any part of the project, please contact me.