As the 1900’s begin women are in a difficult situation. Whatever the pretence of society the reality for almost all women is that they are second class and the property of men.

There may be minor exceptions for royalty, nobility or vast wealth but in the main a woman’s life is expected to be in the service of her betters. That stance has existed for millennia.

What is slowly beginning to bring change are two forces. Education and War.

Education is beginning to inform both genders that learning is the birth right of all and to the benefit of all. And this education can be gained at school or the workplace, and through liberal parents but at them all it can be stifled and muzzled into dissent.

War is being fought on a worldwide scale consuming vast resources of young male muscle and the need for workers to manufacture arms and armaments so that enemies can be overcome and the promise of a ‘better society’ made.

Society is now beginning to grant the vote as it inches forward on allowing women to be fully endowed with other rights of equality. Of course, this is mainly for white women in the west, those under the rules of Empire have even further to go in obtaining basic human rights.

Whilst women have created enduring works of literature and poetry for centuries, much has remained hidden and voiceless. But technology and the mass distribution of printed materials has allowed new ideas and thoughts to circulate, to demand a voice.

In this volume their talents and voices speak with determination, wisdom, courage and love on many subjects through their extraordinary verse.