Timeline of Key Dates over Women’s Peace Petition Centenary

Women’s Centenary – Home

This timeline records some of the key historic dates from the evolution of the original women’s peace petition campaign over 1923-25, and includes also some key dates over the centenary period such as conferences and events, National / International / Urdd Eisteddfodau, and other ‘hook dates’ of relevance or significance to groups marking the centenary. If you spot any dates that are missing / would be useful to add, please email walesforpeace@wcia.org.uk.

The White Star Line’s ‘SS Cedric’ on which the Welsh Peace Petition and women’s delegation made their transatlantic voyage to New York in February 1924.

1922

1923 / 2023

  • 8 March 2023 – International Women’s Day
  • March 1923 – WLNU Annual Conference in Tregaron aired membership discussion around Women’s Peace campaign.
  • March 1923 – Welsh School of Social Service (WSSS) gathering in Llandrindod Wells
  • 5 April 2023 – Official launch of HLF funded ‘Hawlio Heddwch’ project at National Library, Aberystwyth, with return of the chest and petition signatures to Wales from the Smithsonian Institute, Washington after many years of campaigning.
  • 6 April 1873 / 1923 / 2023 – Birth date of Annie Hughes-Griffiths, WLNU Chair and leader of the Women’s Peace delegation to America, who would have been 50 at the launch of the women’s peace campaign, and 150 in April 2023. Annie is buried in the churchyard at Llangeitho, Ceredigion.
  • 21-23 May 1923 – WLNU 1923 Annual Conference held in Aberystwyth, with 7 events in programme including the launch of the Women’s Peace Appeal to America.
  • 23 May 1923 – ‘Wales Conference of Women’ held in Old College, Aberystwyth University (as part of the wider WLNU Conference) to ‘launch’ the women’s peace appeal to America.
  • 23 May 2023 – Women’s Centenary Conference hosted by Aberystwyth University’s International Politics dept and National Library for Wales.
  • Dates TBC – Creation of the Memorial and Peace Declaration. Author of the text is as yet unconfirmed, thought possibly to have been Gwilym Davies with Mary Ellis. The Memorial leather binding was created by Cecily Ellis with Cardiff School of Arts & Crafts and the newly opened Gregynog Press, run by the Davies Sisters Gwnedoline & Margaret who were high profile supporters of thre Leageu of Nations.
  • JUNE TO NOVEMBER 1923 – Mobilisation of women Wales-wide to gather peace petition signatories, through County and Community Organisers.
  • 29-3 June 2023 – Urdd Eisteddfod in Llandovery
  • 3-9 July 2023 – Llangollen International Eisteddfod in Denbighshire, including ‘Women’s Peace Lecture‘ panel by Academi Heddwch.
  • July 1923 – Royal Welsh Show in Rhyl was a focal point for women’s peace petition campaigners using the WLNU Stall there.
  • 24-27 July 2023 – Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells.
  • August 1923 – National Eisteddfod in Mold was a focal point for women’s peace petition campaigners using the WLNU Stall there.
  • 5-12 August 2023 – National Eisteddfod, Pwllheli incluing Celebration of Women’s Peace Petition Partnership in National Library tent, 7 August.
  • Dates TBC – Carving of the ‘great oak chest‘ by Mr JA Hallam, to convey the signatures on the voyage across the Atlantic to America.
  • November 1923 – Feature article published in Welsh Outlook’ Nov 1923.
  • November 2024 – Aberystwyth University Research Festival will include launch of the centenary book on the story of ther Peace Petition.
  • December 1923 – January 1924 – Mary Ellis travelled out to America to make arrangements with US women’s movements and networks for the Welsh Peace delegation visit in Spring 1924.

1924 America ‘Peace Tour’

Including links to relevant pages in Annie’s Diary

  • Over January 1924, the Peace Petition was organised and packed in the offices of the Welsh League of Nations Union at Museum Place in Cardiff, and preparations made for the delegation’s visit to the United States led by WLNU Chair Annie Hughes Griffiths.
  • Feb 2 1924 – Annie starts her diary
  • Feb 2 Sendoff from London Euston and train to Liverpool
  • 11 Board the White Star Line’s ‘RMS Cedric’ at Liverpool Docks for New York
  • 2-11 Feb – Transatlantic voyage on White Star Line’s ‘RMS Cedric’ from Liverpool to New York
  • 11 Feb 11-12 Feb: Arrival and reception in New York P9
  • Tue 19 Feb Women’s Luncheon and Petition Presentation at Biltmore Hotel, New York – P10, Welsh press diary
  • 20 Feb: Journey to Washington P12
  • 21 Feb: Visiting the White House, presentation of Women’s Memorial to US President Canvin Coolidge, and visit to tomb of Woodrow Wilson’s (US President who created League of Nations, and had died just weeks earlier)
  • 24 Feb: Journey to Chicago P15
  • 29 Feb: Journey across Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado and Utah with visit to Ogden Canyon, Morgan
  • 2 March: Salt Lake City, Utah – P17
  • 3-7 March: San Francisco, California – P20
  • 8-12 March: Los Angeles, California – P23
  • 13-14 March: Grand Canyon, Arizona – P25
  • 15-16 March: Chicago – P26
  • 17 March: Niagara Falls
  • 18-19 March: Utica, NY State
  • 19-22 March: Final days in New York, including wedding of Welsh opera signer Leila Megane to composer Osborne Roberts – P28
  • 21 March – New York ‘Sendoff’ event
  • 22-28 March 1924: Transatlantic voyage on White Star Line’s RMS Olympic (sister ship to Titanic) from New York to Liverpool. P31
  • Mar 29 Home London / Wales P32

1 – New York; 2 – Washington; 3 Chicago; 4 Salt Lake City; 5 San Francisco; 6 Los Angeles; 7 Grand Canyon; 8 Colorado; 9 Niagara Falls; 10 Utica; then back to New York (1)

1924 / 2024

1925

1926 onwards