Liverpool is a city with a rich history, magnificent buildings, and a legacy of significant historical events. Today, we’re going to look at the formation of the Liverpool Women’s Suffrage Society. Read more about this topic on the liverpoolka.com website.
How It All Began
In 1894, the Liverpool Women’s Suffrage Society was established. The society was officially formed in January 1894, following a proposal initiated by Emily Hornby the previous month. It should be noted that the society was founded by three women—Edith Allan Bright, Lydia Allen Booth, and Nessie Stewart-Brown—with an initial membership of 24 people. A headquarters was established soon after.
At the time, other women’s organisations were already active in Liverpool, such as the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) and the Independent Labour Party. However, the Liverpool Women’s Suffrage Society differed from them in key ways. Firstly, it attracted members from the wealthier classes of society. Secondly, it did not support the militant protest methods used by members of the WSPU.
The Aims of the Women’s Society
Every organisation is created with a specific goal in mind, and the Liverpool Women’s Suffrage Society was no exception. Its aim was to educate women on the importance of having the right to vote and, in turn, to persuade men of the same. Members of the organisation also had connections with Liberal MPs, who could then put pressure on the government. Public support was equally important, which is why the society regularly held various events, such as poetry evenings, ballet performances, and small concerts, to promote their cause.
The society also supported larger-scale events, such as demonstrations organised by the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies in 1910 and joint events with all of Liverpool’s other suffrage organisations.
In 1911, the Women’s Municipal Association was formed as a branch of the society. It was established to promote the idea of women voting in local elections and to teach them how to correctly fill out ballot papers. Just a year later, however, the Liverpool Women’s Suffrage Society merged with the Women’s Municipal Association to become the Liverpool Women’s Citizens Association. The outbreak of the First World War shifted the priorities of these organisations, and by 1919, they had all consolidated into a single group.
About the Founders of the Society
As mentioned above, the society was founded by three women: Edith Bright, Lydia Allen Booth, and Nessie Stewart-Brown.
Edith Bright was an activist and a member of the executive committee of the Liverpool Women’s Industrial Council. In addition to this, she was involved in various other feminist movements and unions. Edith’s husband was a solicitor and a Liberal Party MP.
Lydia Allen Booth was an American, but this did not prevent her from also serving on the executive committee of the Liverpool Women’s Industrial Council.
Nessie Stewart-Brown served as president of the Liverpool Women’s Liberal Association. Alongside Edith, she also worked with the Mothers’ Union and the National Union of Women Workers.
Today, it is hard to believe that women were once unable to vote in elections. Yet, at the beginning of the 20th century, many activists in our city were fighting for this very right. The Liverpool Women’s Suffrage Society undoubtedly played its part in ensuring that the women of our city have the right to vote today. Thanks to the persistent work and efforts of these dedicated Liverpool residents, the ice was broken, and women finally won the right to have their voices heard.
We hope you found this article informative and that it has given you some food for thought.