Women of Moray

by Susan Bennett, Mary Byatt, Jenny Main

Women have been sidelined throughout history in the rush to tell the stories of great wars, great battles and the achievements of great men. But in Moray - a part of Scotland encompassing both Highland and Lowland areas btween Inverness and Aberdeen - a group of people have begun a project to uncover the stories of the women who lived in Moray from medieval to modern times.

Discover Flaming Janet, James IV's mistress; Elsie Watson who rode solo across South Africa on a motorcycle in 1912; the Queen's nurse in Foula dn Fair Isle in the 1920s; the spymaster of Albanian agents during the Second World War; the Traveller born in the bow-tent and more.

This book captures the tales of over 70 women whose lives have made an impact on history both in Scotland and abroad. It sheds light on their misfortunes, prjudice and abuse, and shows how these challenges have been overcome.

Women of Moray is a unique glimpse into the history of the region, looking at women marginalised, forgotten and usually uncelebrated across the centuries. For the historian, the genealogist and the general reader, this is a book that will deepen your understanding of history.

264 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

Susan Bennett is an Earphones Award-winning and Audie-nominated narrator. A member of SAG/AFTRA and Actor’s Equity, Susan has also appeared in several television shows and a few films, including Law & Order, The Following, Black Box, Rescue Me, and Funny or Die’s Therapy. She has performed on stages across the country, as well as on- and off-Broadway.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains biographies of women native or connected to Morayshire, Scotland, from medieval times to the present. Gruoch, Lady MacBeth, is covered but early business women, nurses, teachers, scientists, sportswomen, writers, and artists are covered along with a short section of women who are remembered by name as a way of scaring children or just as a place name. Some of them were educated through correspondence courses as women were not allowed to attend university and at one point only allowed a literary degree. Many fought for equal rights for women and their right to higher education. The Gordon Cummings are featured frequently in this book as their status allowed them to pursue various interests. Quite a few of these women's collections are on display in the Elgin Museum, a very nice museum. I just wish I'd had this information when I visited it back in 2010.