On the night of April 14, 1912, the infamous transatlantic liner Titanic collided with an iceberg. Of the 2206 people on board, only 705 survived. One of the lucky ones turned out to be 22-year-old Briton Elsie Bowerman.
Tragedy and salvation
On April 10, 1912, Elsie Baurman and her mother left England to cross the Atlantic Ocean on the largest ship of the time, the Titanic. In America and Canada, where the girls were going, family and friends were waiting for them.
British liner Titanic Photo: Francis Godolphin Osbourne Stuart
Of course, the choice of this particular ship was not the most successful solution. But Bowerman and her mother, as first-class passengers, will be the main contenders in the line for the lifeboat.
On the early morning of April 15, Elsie and her mother left the Titanic in boat number six. The boat could accommodate 65 people, but instead there were only two men, a boy and 21 women. One of them was the famous "unsinkable" Molly Brown.
Elsie Bowerman later shared memories of the events of that day:"
the silence that came after the engines stopped was followed by the sound of a steward. He ordered us to go on deck, which we did. Then the lifeboats were launched and we were told to row from the liner as quickly as possible. It was very strange to pull oars in the middle of the Atlantic, surrounded by ice. "Later, Bowerman and others were rescued by the ship Carpathia.
Support for women's suffrage
WSPU leaders Photo: unknown author Source:
Prior to her journey on the Titanic, Elsie Bowerman took an active part in the country's political life. As a student at Gerton College, University of Cambridge, she advocated for women's rights. In 1909, the girl joined the Women's Political Union (WSPU). Her group, led by Emmeline Pankhurst, fought for women's suffrage in England. After the ill-fated journey on the Titanic, she continued her activities in this organization.
Service during the First World War
With the outbreak of World War I, the political situation in England changed. Following the lead of other WSPU members, Bowerman stepped back from the women's suffrage to contribute to her country’s support. She joined the Scottish Women's Hospital and went to Romania.
In the end, the girl ended up in Russia. She was in St. Petersburg until the beginning of the October Revolution. Bowerman later described events in March 1917 as follows:"
great excitement on the street. Everywhere armed soldiers and civilians marching up and down. Between them rush armored cars. Suddenly, attention focused on our hotel and the house next door. A rain of shots covered both buildings, as the police were supposed to be on the upper floors."
Legal career
After the end of World War I, Elsie Bowerman returned to England. At this time, the female population of the country opened up new opportunities. For example, in 1919, the law allowed women to engage in accounting and jurisprudence, which was previously prohibited.
Bowerman took advantage of these changes and was trained to become a lawyer. In 1924 she was admitted to the bar. Bowerman became the first female lawyer practicing in the Old Bailey, London's famous courthouse.
World War II and the UN
"Red Army" 1941-1945 Photo: Temin Viktor Antonovich
With the outbreak of World War II, Elsie Bowerman again did not stand aside. She went to the women's voluntary service, receiving a position in the Ministry of Information. She was also a communications officer from 1941 to 1945.
After the end of the war, the United Nations was created. In 1947, Bowerman received support in setting up the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
