MEDIA REPORT – 5 JULY 2022 GROUP MEETING
News of the latest political turmoil on TV was probably the reason for the absence of some of our members at our July meeting but the subject ‘Suffragettes of Kent’, demonstrated that this is not new ! Our Speaker, Jennifer Godfrey, based her presentation, liberally illustrated with photographs, on her extensive research in preparation for her book of the same title.
Many people take the ability to vote for granted but this was not always a right for women and indeed some men and keenly fought for. In 1866 a petition calling for votes for women was organised by some doughty and generally well-do-to characters, including several residing in the leafy parts of Kent. To unite different groups the National Society for Women’s Suffrage Societies was formed in 1897 and to further the cause in 1903 Emily Pankhurst set up the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU).
In 1908 a breakaway group called the Woman’s Freedom League was formed. Maybe this was because they had a different outlook and way of doing things - the members were mostly from the world of arts, stage and entertainment. Some of their leading lights – instead of seeking stage footlights – headed off through Kent on a horse-drawn caravan tour taking several months, visiting Maidstone and finishing in Sevenoaks. They distributed magazines, made speeches and one, Muriel Matters, musician, journalist and organiser-in-charge, even arranged for leaflets promoting votes for women to be scattered from an airship! This group held what they called a ‘Holiday Campaign’ in 1913 visiting seaside towns including Gravesend....well it has a beach of sorts.....which was described by many as chaotic and rowdy.
In 1913 The National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies organised a countrywide ‘Pilgrimage’ to promote the cause. 150,000 supporters travelled on foot and by bicycle ending in London’s Hyde Park. There were three routes through Kent, Tonbridge being one of the main meeting places. The leaders had an audience with Mr. Asquith M.P. but did not succeed in achieving change on this occasion.
Many women played a very active role. Those who did this by lawful and non-violent means were known as Suffragists. Those who took militant action were called Suffragettes. Sports events were often targets and Penshurst Place was petrol bombed. Only the staff were in residence and they saved the building and contents from severe damage. One Kent born militant supporter of the cause, Ethel Buldock spent time in both Maidstone and Holloway prisons for window smashing. Prisoners were sentenced to hard labour and those on hunger strike could expect to be force-fed. To prevent ‘martyrs’ the ‘Cat and Mouse’ Act was introduced allowing unwell prisoners to be released under licence and returned when better.
In 1918 women of 30 and older who were householders, wives of householders, occupiers of property and graduates of British Universities were given the vote. In 1928 all women over 21 could vote. See Jennifer's website www.jennifergodfrey.co.uk for more information about her book Suffragettes of Kent.
Christina Tyler, Programme Organiser
News of the latest political turmoil on TV was probably the reason for the absence of some of our members at our July meeting but the subject ‘Suffragettes of Kent’, demonstrated that this is not new ! Our Speaker, Jennifer Godfrey, based her presentation, liberally illustrated with photographs, on her extensive research in preparation for her book of the same title.
Many people take the ability to vote for granted but this was not always a right for women and indeed some men and keenly fought for. In 1866 a petition calling for votes for women was organised by some doughty and generally well-do-to characters, including several residing in the leafy parts of Kent. To unite different groups the National Society for Women’s Suffrage Societies was formed in 1897 and to further the cause in 1903 Emily Pankhurst set up the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU).
In 1908 a breakaway group called the Woman’s Freedom League was formed. Maybe this was because they had a different outlook and way of doing things - the members were mostly from the world of arts, stage and entertainment. Some of their leading lights – instead of seeking stage footlights – headed off through Kent on a horse-drawn caravan tour taking several months, visiting Maidstone and finishing in Sevenoaks. They distributed magazines, made speeches and one, Muriel Matters, musician, journalist and organiser-in-charge, even arranged for leaflets promoting votes for women to be scattered from an airship! This group held what they called a ‘Holiday Campaign’ in 1913 visiting seaside towns including Gravesend....well it has a beach of sorts.....which was described by many as chaotic and rowdy.
In 1913 The National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies organised a countrywide ‘Pilgrimage’ to promote the cause. 150,000 supporters travelled on foot and by bicycle ending in London’s Hyde Park. There were three routes through Kent, Tonbridge being one of the main meeting places. The leaders had an audience with Mr. Asquith M.P. but did not succeed in achieving change on this occasion.
Many women played a very active role. Those who did this by lawful and non-violent means were known as Suffragists. Those who took militant action were called Suffragettes. Sports events were often targets and Penshurst Place was petrol bombed. Only the staff were in residence and they saved the building and contents from severe damage. One Kent born militant supporter of the cause, Ethel Buldock spent time in both Maidstone and Holloway prisons for window smashing. Prisoners were sentenced to hard labour and those on hunger strike could expect to be force-fed. To prevent ‘martyrs’ the ‘Cat and Mouse’ Act was introduced allowing unwell prisoners to be released under licence and returned when better.
In 1918 women of 30 and older who were householders, wives of householders, occupiers of property and graduates of British Universities were given the vote. In 1928 all women over 21 could vote. See Jennifer's website www.jennifergodfrey.co.uk for more information about her book Suffragettes of Kent.
Christina Tyler, Programme Organiser