Alice Penrose was born in 1850 in a picturesque, secluded Cornish village called Portwood. After a life full of exploring the vibrations of women she admired, she returned home to the village of her birth and was laid to rest in 1924 at the age of 74.
The Secluded Old Village of Portwood is nestled in the rugged, windswept cliffs of Cornwall, surrounded by rolling hills, ancient stone walls, and the wild beauty of the Atlantic Ocean flirting with the fringe of the English Channel. The village is so remote that it’s accessible only by a narrow, winding road that meanders through the countryside. Often a closed gateway when mother nature send the full force of winter through the moors.
The village features quaint, stone cottages with thatched roofs, cobblestone streets, and a centuries-old church with a moss-covered graveyard. Like a chocolate box scene, a Christmas card sketch. It exudes an aura of timeless charm and isolation, where traditions run deep.
Portwood at this time is known for its tight-knit, insular community where everyone knows everyone else’s business. The villagers being deeply rooted in tradition and tended to be conservative in their beliefs and values.
Alice came from a modest, close-knit family with deep roots in the old village. The past and the future bear the surname Penrose from street name to land registry.
Alice’s parents, Jonathan and Eleanor Penrose, were devoutly religious and deeply committed to their faith. They were pillars of the local church and highly respected in the village.
Her father, Jonathan, was a stern and authoritarian figure. His strict adherence to religious doctrine shaped his parenting style, often leading to clashes with Alice. He believed in traditional gender roles and expected Alice to conform to them, which she fiercely resisted.
On the other hand, her mother Eleanor, was a nurturing and gentle presence in her life. She supported Alice’s quest for knowledge and independence secretly, often providing her with books and opportunities to explore her interests discreetly. There was always a fine line for Eleanor between encouraging her daughter and pleasing her husband for balance in the home.
Alice had two younger siblings, a brother named Samuel and a sister named Mary. Samuel was three years younger than Alice, and Mary was five years her junior. While their parents’ strict religious beliefs influenced their upbringing, Alice’s influence on her siblings played a significant role in their development. She encouraged them to question societal norms and nurtured their desire for knowledge and independence. The fine line their mother walked in supporting Alice in her aspirations was fed down by their older sister as best she could despite later being banished from the family home.
The family dynamics altered a billion times in the mind and soul of Alice despite never wavering in the mind of her father. Alice’s relationship with her father, Jonathan, was strained due to his strict religious beliefs and authoritarian parenting style. She resented the restrictions placed on her and often clashed with him. In contrast, her relationship with her mother, Eleanor, was much warmer and supportive. Eleanor provided the emotional support and encouragement Alice needed to pursue her passions. Despite it often feeling behind a dark emotional curtain, a straight face and giving hand.
The impact on growing up in this religious and conservative environment had a profound impact on Alice. It fuelled her determination to break free from the constraints of tradition and become a pioneering force for change. Her love for her siblings and desire to protect them from the same restrictions she faced were significant motivating factors in her journey toward independence and advocacy for women’s rights.
This detailed family background and the setting of the secluded village provide a rich backdrop for understanding Alice’s character and the challenges she faced in her quest to become a pioneering figure in her community and advocate for women’s rights.
Early life education within the family, and throughout the other homes in the village and towns near by, was actively discouraged unless biblical and approved by the local elders council. Curiosity of anything not approved by these self appointed men was shot down before with the venom of the devil itself. The village had a small library, which she frequented to expand her knowledge but only under the guidance of her mother or an older sister of the church. It wasn’t quite a building of Sodom and Gomorrah, but the ladies did have secret shelves and secret texts.
Alice Penrose a Personality in her own right.
Courageous:
Alice fearlessly challenged societal norms, even when faced with opposition from her own family and community. Alice’s courage was like a blazing fire, fierce and unyielding. She fearlessly challenged the deeply ingrained preconceived notions of her time, even when it meant standing alone against the tide of opposition from all around her, and particularly the heart wrenching resentment from those who once loved her. Her determination to break free from the religious and gender constraints that bound her was a testament to her unwavering spirit.
In the face of stern reprimands, disapproval, and even threats from those who sought to maintain the status quo, Alice held her ground. Her courage was not reckless; it was a calculated defiance driven by a burning desire for change. It inspired those around her to question their own convictions and, in some cases, to join her in the fight for women’s rights and religious freedom.
Compassionate:
She had a deep profound empathy for the struggles of other women, particularly those in small, conservative towns like her own. Beneath Alice’s courageous exterior was a deep well of compassion. She understood the weight of societal expectations and the silent battles women fought behind closed doors. Alice’s compassion was not limited to words; it manifested in her actions. She became a source of support and solace for women who sought refuge in secret meetings. She listened with an open heart, offering guidance, encouragement, and a shoulder to lean on. Her compassion created a sisterhood of shared experiences and mutual understanding, providing a lifeline for those who felt trapped. She took the nervous support of her mother and elder sisters and expanded them to a guidance and long arm wrapped freely around all who needed.
Intellectual:
Alice was a voracious reader and a deep thinker, always seeking new knowledge and perspectives with an insatiable hunger for inspirational stories of freedom fighters who lived before her. Her intellectual curiosity was a driving force in her life, initially leading her to explore ideas beyond the confines of her village’s beliefs and taking on bigger and tougher dimensions. She saw the world as a tapestry of perspectives waiting to be unravelled, and she eagerly delved into literature, philosophy, and science.
Books were not just a pastime for Alice; they were a lifeline to a broader world and a source of inspiration for her advocacy. She dissected complex ideas, challenged her own assumptions, and constantly sought new horizons of understanding. Her intellectual prowess was a cornerstone of her ability to articulate her beliefs and advocate for change, making her a formidable force in her quiet revolution.
These personality traits—courage, compassion, and intellectual curiosity—combined to make Alice Penrose not only a pioneering figure but also a beacon of hope and inspiration for women seeking freedom and equality in an era when their voices were often stifled. In a tumultuous time with so much upheaval, women with little rights were not just forgotten but often hidden away. Maybe this was seen as a golden time for Alice, under the searchlight could begin a personal revolution.
Appearance:
Alice had striking auburn hair and green eyes, a reflection of her Cornish heritage. She often dressed modestly but with an air of independence, incorporating subtle symbols of her beliefs into her attire.
Her hair cascaded in waves down her back, like the fiery tresses of a rebellious spirit. It was a shade that seemed to echo her passionate, independent nature, standing out even in a village of traditional brunettes and blondes. Nature couldn’t have planned her appearance better as a trail blazer of Viking proportions for her time.
Her green eyes were like emeralds, expressive and filled with a deep sense of determination. They held the spark of someone who had seen beyond the boundaries of her small town and who yearned to explore a wider world of possibilities. When Alice spoke, her eyes seemed to light up with the fire of her convictions. They could hold your attention as much as her welcoming tones.
While Alice beliefs were always a testament to her unwavering spirit. Her clothing was a blend of tradition and rebellion, much like the woman herself.
Modest Yet Independent Dress:
Alice’s attire was a reflection of her respect for her family’s conservative values while also asserting her own sense of independence. She dressed in simple, earth-toned dresses that flowed gracefully, combining practicality with a touch of elegance. Her choice of clothing allowed her to blend in with the women of her village while also subtly setting her apart. Anonymity would always be a tool so useful for her campaigns.
What made Alice’s attire distinctive was the way she incorporated symbols of her beliefs. A small brooch with a bird in flight, representing freedom, was often pinned to her collar. A bracelet with an engraved quote about the power of knowledge adorned her wrist. These were subtle expressions of her passion for women’s rights and the pursuit of education, a quiet rebellion against the restrictive norms of her community, a testament to her ability to balance tradition with her desire for change.
Breaking Free from Religious Shackles:
As Alice Penrose matured, her yearning for knowledge deepened, and a burning desire to break free from the religious shackles that bound her began to grow. The austere teachings of her father, Jonathan, and the conservative beliefs of her village felt like a stifling cage, suffocating her curiosity and potential.
One evening, while sitting by the flickering hearth in her family’s humble cottage, Alice confided in her mother, Eleanor. The firelight danced on the walls, casting shadows that seemed to whisper secrets of a wider world beyond Portwood.
“Mother,” Alice began, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and determination, “I can’t keep living like this. I can’t keep pretending that the world is only what they tell us in church. There’s so much more out there, and I want to know it all.”
Eleanor’s eyes glistened with empathy as she listened to her daughter’s heartfelt plea. She knew that Alice’s thirst for knowledge could no longer be quenched solely by biblical teachings. It was time to nurture the spark of independence and curiosity that flickered within her.
“Alice,” Eleanor said softly, her hand resting on her daughter’s trembling arm, “you have a gift, and it’s a gift that God has given you for a reason. There are other voices, other women who have paved the way for you to explore the world beyond our village. But you must be careful, my dear. Society may not be ready to accept your quest for knowledge.”
Inspiration:
As Alice grew older, she became exposed to literature that challenged her fathers teaching (ramblings as Alice would describe the verses) and ignited her passion for women’s rights and independence.
Her journey of secret advocacy for women’s rights and religious freedom was a crucible of inspiration. The stories she heard in dimly lit barn attics and the dreams shared by those brave, anonymous women she felt were drawn to her by a vibration of change, fuelled her desire to create something tangible—a guide that could empower single women to break free from societal constraints.
As she continued to meet with these women, Alice began to compile their stories, struggles, and the strategies they had devised to navigate a world that sought to confine them. She also drew upon her own experiences, the battles she had fought, and the wisdom she had gained. The vision of a handbook that would provide guidance, encouragement, and practical advice took shape in her mind.
Activism:
Women’s Rights: In her twenties, Alice became an outspoken advocate for women’s rights, often writing essays and giving speeches in nearby towns, despite the conservative nature of the era. These were events secretly arranged but very popular non-the-less. It was a time of change and Alice felt the secrecy was part of the intelligent approach to a new movement. An excitement that drew more woman to feel a bravery they could never have previously imagined.
Religious Freedom: Alice’s personal struggle to break free from the constraints of her family’s religious beliefs inspired her to help other women in similar situations, particularly those within the tight-knit Cornish community in the early days.
The discovery that many other religions and cults and sects and hidden communities existed outside of her sheltered upbringing opened her eyes with disbelief yet fierce determination to expand her campaigning. After a childhood believing her fathers god was the only god she felt an immediate kindred connection with endless lines of other women who must have been raised thinking the same. Imprisoned.
The Pioneer
The phrase “independent pioneer” typically refers to an individual or entity that is at the forefront of innovation, change, or progress in a particular field or industry and operates independently, without relying on established systems or organizations. It conveys the idea of someone who is a trailblazer, self-reliant, and often breaking new ground.
Alice became fondly considered a Pioneer among those who she graced whilst exploring new territory or ideas. An early female pioneer referred to as a “trailblazer,” “ground breaker,” “innovator,” and statue of inspiration far outreaching simply women breaking free.
Ambitious with an insatiable drive always seeking new challenges and opportunities to be the lead the way in endeavours of freedom and growth.
Alice used her natural curiosity effortlessly in her innovative approach to find a new pathway for those who felt they needed guidance. At no point did she feel she was a leader but was clearly a path finder, a creative thinker of new ideas and approaches, as she sought to break new ground in diverse areas.
For those who met her, who watched her grow from child to woman, Alice would never have been considered an obvious risk-taker. But she was. Cloaked with determination and a belief knitted with bravery, she was the creator of many firsts which often involved taking risks; uncharted territory, facing unimaginable uncertainty.
Alice with her Persevering Belief:
She wasn’t simply born a tough cookie. Created to possess a strong sense of determination and resilience. Born a tough cookie. We all know, even the most prolific of givers have days which test their nerve, which drain all colour and breath. We understand that being the first can come with its share of challenges and setbacks.
Alice wasn’t a natural sent to this physical world to heal and change. Alice was once a little girl who grew out of injustice to share and encourage and wrap an arm around those who suffered likewise. Of which she discovered there would be a never ending line of such people.
A persevering belief grew from her the many shared experiences on top of her own. A stern determination. Unwavering desire.
And as Alice grew, she learned more about herself, which in time became a powerful encyclopaedia, useful to show others how they could unearth what they too could find within themselves.
This undoubtedly unleashed her adventurous spirit, so inclined to explore new horizons, embrace change, and relish the thrill of venturing into unexplored territory. A self-driven whirlwind of passion, fuelled by those behind her, before her, not even born yet to strive for fairness and growth.
Alice had a clear vision and focus, unwavering and not easily deterred by obstacles or distractions. Including people and relationships of a more personal nature. Alice never married. Alice didn’t have children. Alice never allowed her footsteps to stray from the path she was forging.
‘Her motivation came from within, but was created from all around.