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Home » Protest and Politics » Societies and pressure groups » Suffragettes

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  • This badly-damaged but rare photograph shows Mrs Pankhurst, the prominent suffragette, addressing a crowd at the Castle Square, Haverfordwest. It was probably taken in 1908, when Mrs Pankhurst and other leading suffragettes canvassed during the by-election of that year. The suffragettes had come to campaign against the Liberal candidate, Mr Roch, because Mr Asquith, the Liberal Prime Minister, was opposed to the enfranchisement of women. Their efforts were unsuccessful (the Liberal candidate romped home) but, despite hostility from the local press, the suffragettes in Pembrokeshire were, on the whole, treated with courtesy. This was in marked contrast to their reception in many other localites. Suffragettes were often subjected to very harsh treatment, such as being pelted with rotten eggs or bags of flour, stripped of some of their garments or even beaten with sticks and umbrellas. The 'Suffragettes' derived their name from the word 'suffrage' - meaning the right to vote - and campaigned tirelessly, and often with great personal sacrifice, for the right of women to vote in elections. They met with partial success in 1918, when women of property over the age of 30 were permitted to vote. However, it was not until 1928 that women gained full equality with men in terms of their voting rights.
Mrs Pankhurst, the prominent suffragette, speaking at Haverfordwest, c.1908
  • This pamphlet was published by the Swansea branch of the Women's Freedom League (WFL) in May 1910. The Swansea branch of the WFL was formed on 2 March 1909. The WFL was a women's suffrage society which campaigned to secure the vote for women. The society was formed in 1907 after several leading members of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) decided to establish a new organisation as they were unhappy with the leadership of Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst. The WFL was a militant organisation but unlike the WSPU it was opposed to violence and advocated peaceful methods of campaigning. Its object, as stated in this pamphlet, was: 'To secure for Women the Parliamentary Vote on the same terms as it is or may be granted to men; to use the power thus obtained to establish equality of rights and opportunities between the sexes; and to promote the social and industrial well-being of the community.' This pamphlet was published to publicise the 'Pageant of Famous Women' which the WFL had organised at the Albert Hall, Swansea, on 5 May 1910 and Maesteg Town Hall, the following day. The events also included Miss Cicely Hamilton's 'Anti-Suffrage Waxworks', and an address by Mrs. Despard, President of the WFL. It is noted that branch meetings were also to be held in Swansea and that a meeting was to be held in Maesteg on 11 May to form a branch of the WFL.
Women's Freedom League (Swansea Branch), 'Dare to be Free' (1910) [front cover, image 1 of 18]
  • This is an issue of 'The Vote', the newspaper which was published by the Women's Freedom League (WFL), dated Friday, 4 July 1930. The WFL was a women's suffrage society which campaigned to secure the vote for women. The society was formed in 1907 after several leading members of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) decided to establish a new organisation as they were unhappy with the leadership of Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst. The WFL was a militant organisation but unlike the WSPU it was opposed to violence and advocated peaceful methods of campaigning. Its object, as stated on the front page of this publication, was: 'To secure for Women the Parliamentary Vote on the same terms as it is or may be granted to men; to use the power thus obtained to establish equality of rights and opportunities between the sexes; and to promote the social and industrial well-being of the community.'
'The Vote: The Organ of the Women's Freedom League', 4 July 1930 [front page, image 1 of 8]
  • This is the first annual report of the Swansea branch of the Women's Freedom League (WFL), 1909-10. The Swansea branch of the WFL was formed on 2 March 1909. The WFL was a women's suffrage society which campaigned to secure the vote for women. The society was formed in 1907 after several leading members of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) decided to establish a new organisation as they were unhappy with the leadership of Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst. The WFL was a militant organisation but unlike the WSPU it was opposed to violence and advocated peaceful methods of campaigning. Its object, as stated in this pamphlet, was: 'To secure for Women the Parliamentary Vote on the same terms as it is or may be granted to men; to use the power thus obtained to establish equality of rights and opportunities between the sexes; and to promote the social and industrial well-being of the community.'
Report of Swansea branch of the Women's Freedom League, 1909-10 [front cover, image 1 of 9]
Petition of the Women's Liberal Association for Swansea calling for the vote for women
  • A suede-bound book, with an inscription on the front reading 'The Open Door: A Guestbook'. This is a guestbook from 'Caledon', a house belonging to the Kirkland family, and dated 1917-63. The pages are filled with comments by guests to the house, many of whom, in the early years, were prominent members of the Suffrage Movement and The Womens' Freedom League.
Visitors' Book from 'Caledon' , 1917-63, front cover [image 1 of 2]