This February marks 100 years since women were first given the right to vote, with many events taking place throughout the country to commemorate this momentous occasion.
So how did this come about?
In 1918, the government passed the Representation of the People Act, which gave certain women over the age of 30 who met minimum property qualifications the opportunity to vote. At last! The introduction of this new law meant that women now accounted for 43% of the electorate. However, women were still not politically equal to men. This did not occur until 1928, when the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act was passed, which gave the vote to all women over the age of 21 regardless of property ownership.
Some influential figures you may know about . . .
Many of you will be familiar with the Suffragettes and Suffragists, who pushed for their own right to be represented prior to the war, but very little was achieved. Emmeline Pankhurst was a hugely influential member of the Suffragette movement, known for her violent agitation and protests in order to advance the cause. Other members of the Suffragette movement include Christabel Pankhurst, Sylvia Pankhurst, Lydia Becker, Flora Drummond and Emily Wilding Davison.
The issue of women’s lack of political expression was actually raised by Suffragist Millicent Fawcett at the Speaker’s Conference in 1916, where she called for the voting age to be lowered to 18, but if this was not possible, she suggested that women aged 30 – 35 years old should be enfranchised. Other influential Suffragists include Susan B. Anthony, Alice Stone Blackwell, Antoinette Brown Blackwell, Harriet Stanton Blatch and Amelia Bloomer.
How is this anniversary being celebrated?
Celebrations are taking place all across the country to mark this occasion, including displays of artwork and theatre performances. Below are some upcoming events that may interest you.
Art exhibitions
A year-long exhibition is being displayed on the London Underground to mark 100 years of women’s suffrage and highlights female artists from all over the globe. Artists participating include Heather Phillipson (producing a piece for Gloucester Road station), Njideka Akunyili Crosby (creating a piece for Brixton station), Greta Brătescu and Marie Jocotey (who will feature on the cover of the Tube map) as well as British artist, musician and punk icon Linder (producing a piece for Southwark station).
In addition to this, the London Transport Museum’s ‘Poster Girls’ exhibition will showcase female poster artists and is themed around the work of female artists and designers. It runs until January 2019.
In terms of theatre …
The Old Vic theatre – ‘Sylvia’
A modern musical celebrating the life of Sylvia Pankhurst, her pivotal role in the campaign for women’s rights and the price of the passion and politics which tore her family apart.
Running from 1 – 22 September 2018. Tickets start from £10.
The Oxford Playhouse – ‘A Vote of Her Own – 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage’
The venue is hosting a year-long festival of events, celebrating women’s voices and stories, past, present and future.
What can we take from it?
The centenary of women’s suffrage is a celebration of a monumental achievement which deserves all the recognition and respect it can get. It offers an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come and how far we can go, as well as remembering those who fought so hard in order to bring their ambitions into a reality. It is a display of resilience, strength, courage and perhaps, just a little bit of girl power.
By Alexandra Nicholls
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