Elsie Edith Bowerman

Who was Miss Elsie Edith Bowerman?

Miss Elsie Edith Bowerman was a remarkable English woman who survived the Titanic disaster, became a prominent suffragist, and later achieved success as one of the first female barristers in England. Born on December 18, 1889, in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, Elsie’s life was marked by extraordinary experiences and groundbreaking achievements in women’s rights and law.

Early Life and Education

A Privileged Upbringing

Elsie Bowerman was born into a well-to-do family, the only child of William Bowerman and Edith Martha Barber. Tragically, her father passed away when Elsie was just five years old, leaving her mother to raise her alone. This early loss may have contributed to the strong bond between mother and daughter that would last throughout their lives.

Academic Excellence

Elsie’s academic journey was impressive from an early age:

At 11 (eleven) years old, she became the youngest girl at Wycombe Abbey, a prestigious Church of England girls’ boarding school in Buckinghamshire.
After leaving Wycombe Abbey in 1907, she spent time in Paris, broadening her cultural horizons.
In 1908, she entered Girton College, Cambridge, to study Medieval and Modern Languages.
Elsie successfully passed the Tripos examination in 1911, demonstrating her academic prowess.

This educational background laid the foundation for her future achievements and her ability to navigate complex social and legal landscapes.

The Titanic Experience

A Fateful Journey

In April 1912, at the age of 22 (twenty-two), Elsie and her mother embarked on what was meant to be an exciting journey to America and Canada. They boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, as first-class passengers. Their ticket details were as follows:

Detail	Information
Ticket Number	113505
Cabin	E33
Class	1st Class
Fare	£55

Survival and Resilience

When the Titanic struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912, Elsie and her mother found themselves in the midst of one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history. They were among the fortunate few to be rescued, escaping the sinking ship in Lifeboat 6.

“The two women were rescued in lifeboat 6. After reaching America, they did not abandon their travel plans but journeyed across the country, up to a ranch in British Columbia, to the Klondyke and Alaska.”

This harrowing experience did not deter the Bowermans from continuing their planned journey, showcasing their remarkable resilience and determination.

Suffragist Activities and World War I

Fighting for Women’s Rights

Around 1910, before their Titanic voyage, Elsie and her mother had become active members of Mrs. Pankhurst’s Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU). This organization was at the forefront of the suffragist movement, campaigning vigorously for women’s right to vote.

War Efforts and Revolutionary Witness

During World War I, Elsie’s experiences took an even more dramatic turn:

In September 1916, she became an orderly in a Scottish women’s hospital unit serving Serbian and Russian armies in Romania.
As the Allied forces were defeated, her unit retreated northwards to the Russian frontier.
In March 1917, Elsie found herself in St. Petersburg, where she witnessed the Russian Revolution firsthand.
She kept a diary during this time, recording the momentous events unfolding around her.

Upon returning to England in 1917, Elsie continued her suffragist work with renewed vigor. She traveled nationwide with the Pankhursts, organizing mass meetings where suffrage leaders gave patriotic speeches to encourage men to join the Forces and women to volunteer for war work.

Legal Career and Later Life

Pioneering in Law

After the Armistice in 1918, Elsie’s focus shifted to the legal profession:

She gained an MA in law.
In 1924, she was admitted to the Bar, becoming one of the first women to practice law in England.
She practiced on the South Eastern Circuit until 1938.

World War II and International Work

As World War II approached, Elsie’s career took another turn:

She joined the Women’s Voluntary Services for two years.
After a brief stint at the Ministry of Information, she worked with the Overseas Services of the BBC for over three years.
In 1947, she returned to the United States to help establish the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Final Years

In her later years, Elsie returned to St Leonards-on-Sea to be near her elderly mother. After her mother’s death, she retired to a country house near Hailsham. Elsie Bowerman passed away on October 18, 1973, at the age of 83 (eighty-three), leaving behind a legacy of survival, advocacy, and pioneering achievements.

What was Elsie Bowerman’s legacy?

Elsie Bowerman’s life was a testament to resilience, determination, and the pursuit of equality. From surviving the Titanic disaster to witnessing the Russian Revolution, from campaigning for women’s suffrage to becoming one of England’s first female barristers, Elsie’s experiences were extraordinary. Her work in establishing the UN Commission on the Status of Women continues to impact global gender equality efforts today. Elsie Bowerman’s story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating how one woman’s journey can intersect with and influence some of the most significant events of the 20th century.