An engaging story of the suffragette movement in England before World War One, told through the lives of some of the middle and working class women who were affected by it.
While Australia gave women the [Federal] vote in 1902, English women had to mount many demonstrations, some violent, endure imprisonment and the forced feeding of those who went on hunger strikes.
Women only got the vote in England in 1928, although they could be elected to Parliament in 1918. Some of the suffragettes worked as nurses in Army hospitals during the war or were drafted into factories to support the war effort.
We can be proud that women in Australia, America and other British former colonies received much better opportunities and treatment than those in England.
A good read to catch up on this aspect of feminist history.
Next month: 'Long Island', by Colm Toibin
Meg Dillon
While Australia gave women the [Federal] vote in 1902, English women had to mount many demonstrations, some violent, endure imprisonment and the forced feeding of those who went on hunger strikes.
Women only got the vote in England in 1928, although they could be elected to Parliament in 1918. Some of the suffragettes worked as nurses in Army hospitals during the war or were drafted into factories to support the war effort.
We can be proud that women in Australia, America and other British former colonies received much better opportunities and treatment than those in England.
A good read to catch up on this aspect of feminist history.
Next month: 'Long Island', by Colm Toibin
Meg Dillon
