A statue to Millicent Fawcett, suffragist, has been erected in Parliament Square, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act 1918 (where some women over the age of 30 were granted voting rights).

She has been described as a British feminist, intellectual, political and union leader, writer, and a tireless campaigner.  She was from a happy family where the children were encouraged to speak her mind and take an interest in politics. Interestingly, her elder sister Elizabeth became Britain's first female doctor.

Millicent's handwriting is fascinating, as it is more irregular than I would have expected (i.e. a bit messy) but at the same time her baseline (the horizontal lines of the writing across the page) are steady.  There are squeezed and narrow letters, words that vary in size and height (suspensions and superelevations), and some 'overconnections' (where she joins the two T-bars for example).  Some lines tend to droop down at the end, as if she is running out of space. 

For me, this handwriting reveals passionate lady who is is affected by events.  Her sensitivity and curiosity of mind motivate her.  She has a 'stiff upper lip' and has a strong sense of dignity, so attempts to channel her sensitivity into rational action.  She has a quick and restless intellect, yet is determined to see projects through to the end.  

What a talented lady and what a interesting companion she would have been.

As I write, National Stationery Week has just ended.  The stationery industry is big business, and there has been much discussion by retailers, consumer media and suppliers about the latest trends.

The average stationery consumer wants to keep in touch with friends and family, celebrate special occasions, and express their individuality with stylish and quirky stationery.  Journals, diaries and greetings cards all sell well to mostly female consumers.

Many products are linked to the themes of thoughtfulness, gaining a healthy work/life balance, organisation and the recording of spending or thoughts.  Emotions such as happiness and humour feature strongly.  As one expert puts it "Customers see stationery as an extension of their personal style."

Something that underpins most stationery products is writing by hand.  The industry has a campaign #writing matters which aims to celebrate writing by hand.  It was wonderful to see graphologist Christina Strang giving a talk at the London Stationery Show, and I hope the show uses graphology in the future to garner interest in handwriting and stationery in general.

By way of ending, I'd like to repeat two quotes related to handwriting:

"Social stationery inspires a powerful emotional response in both sender and recipient.  Digital junkies, Luddites and everyone in between all love to receive a handwritten note or letter." (Julia Faiers, Editor, Stationery Matters magazine)

"It's like dining by candlelight rather than flicking on the lights."  (Margaret Shepherd in her book 'The Art of the Handwritten Note')