IWD 8th March 2026
International Women’s Day (IWD)
A beautiful ethical hymn perfect for this Sunday celebration
of the 150th anniversary of the death of political polymath Harriet Martineau (1802–76)
Eliza Flower (1803 – 1846) and Harriet Martineau (1802 – 1876)
“Fellowship” from Hymns of Modern Thought for acapella SATB
All men are equal in their birth,
Heirs of the earth and skies:
All men are equal when that earth
Fades from their dying eyes.
‘Tis man alone who difference sees,
And speaks of high and low,
And worships those, and tramples these,
While the path they go.
Oh let man hasten to restore
To all their rights of love;
In power and wealth exult no more
In wisdom lowly move.
This first recording was made at Conway Hall this year and is sung by Electric Voice Theatre:
Frances M Lynch Soprano
Amy Kearsley Mezzo
Laurence Panter Tenor
Gwion Thomas Baritone
Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) (Image Wikimedia CC)
Harriet Martineau (1802-1876), journalist, writer, sociologist, abolitionist and political economist.
Martineau and Flower were probably the most powerful protest song writing partnership of the C19th. Many of their songs became popular anthems sung by thousands of protesting workers in the streets, most of whom would have had no idea that their voices were carrying the words and music of two young ladies.
This great creative partnership came to an untimely end in the year that Flower’s Songs of the Months were published. Martineau was unable to deal with the scandal that ensued when Flower set up home with William Fox – the preacher at the Unitarian Chapel in Finsbury – who had left his wife, taking his children with him.
The two women were separated until a few years before Eliza’s death, when there was a reconciliation, but not unfortunately in time for their collaboration to flourish once more.
You can find out more about Harriet Martineau on this link
ELECTRIC VOICE THEATRE and all our partners and friends are celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) all week
Music & Science by Women
8th – 14th March 2026
New projects and recordings
and more
released online
on each day this week
Start your day the EVT way!
