The Huddersfield branch of the Women’s Social and Political Union was established in 1907, with the Honorary Secretary Edith Key. The women would regularly meet, either in homes or by renting a room at various places such as the Clarion Club or St Marks School.
Each entry records the date and place of the meeting, as well as the chair presiding, which often rotated and on occasion was filled by Adela Pankhurst herself.
The minute book of the Huddersfield branch of the Women’s Social and Political Union allows us an insight into the issues at the heart of the suffrage movement and the actions taken in pursuance of the right to vote for women, not only on a regional but also national level.
Edith Key, who’s personal papers the book was kept in, was the secretary for the branch and the entries show the determination of the women to make a change, raising funds and travelling the country to organised demonstrations to support the cause.
Of real interest is the copy of the letter sent to women arrested and put in Holloway Jail, which shows the camaraderie and determination these women had for the cause, as well as the report on the years progress.
The suffragist movement had been growing since 1872, with the existence of the National Society for Women’s Suffrage (NSWS) and later in 1897 the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS). The latter group, lead by Millicent Fawcett, was focused on a peaceful approach to gaining support for the cause and believed in democracy as the means to providing votes for women.
Due to the lack of success in its early years, the party divided and the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) was founded in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughter Christabel. Their slogan ‘Deeds, Not Words’ reflected their more militant action in the campaign for votes, but although publicising the issue, many people were unsympathetic due to their increasingly aggressive tactics.
The WSPU stopped their activities in the face of World War One to take a unified national stance behind Britain, and was dissolved in 1917. Women were given a qualified right to vote in 1918, but it was not until 1928 that this privilege was given universal application.
Vote for Women's Social and Political Union, Huddersfield Branch, Minutes today!
Was your mother or grandmother a member of the movement? Does the women’s movement interest you? Leave us your thoughts today
Each entry records the date and place of the meeting, as well as the chair presiding, which often rotated and on occasion was filled by Adela Pankhurst herself.
The minute book of the Huddersfield branch of the Women’s Social and Political Union allows us an insight into the issues at the heart of the suffrage movement and the actions taken in pursuance of the right to vote for women, not only on a regional but also national level.
Edith Key, who’s personal papers the book was kept in, was the secretary for the branch and the entries show the determination of the women to make a change, raising funds and travelling the country to organised demonstrations to support the cause.
Of real interest is the copy of the letter sent to women arrested and put in Holloway Jail, which shows the camaraderie and determination these women had for the cause, as well as the report on the years progress.
The suffragist movement had been growing since 1872, with the existence of the National Society for Women’s Suffrage (NSWS) and later in 1897 the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS). The latter group, lead by Millicent Fawcett, was focused on a peaceful approach to gaining support for the cause and believed in democracy as the means to providing votes for women.
Due to the lack of success in its early years, the party divided and the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) was founded in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughter Christabel. Their slogan ‘Deeds, Not Words’ reflected their more militant action in the campaign for votes, but although publicising the issue, many people were unsympathetic due to their increasingly aggressive tactics.
The WSPU stopped their activities in the face of World War One to take a unified national stance behind Britain, and was dissolved in 1917. Women were given a qualified right to vote in 1918, but it was not until 1928 that this privilege was given universal application.
Vote for Women's Social and Political Union, Huddersfield Branch, Minutes today!
Was your mother or grandmother a member of the movement? Does the women’s movement interest you? Leave us your thoughts today