Suffragettes/Suffragists

"Suffragettes” features some of the iconic signs, slogans and leaflets from the Women’s Suffrage Movement.

The paraphernalia reminds us of the struggles and hardships and the injustices experienced, as women mobilised and fought for the right for women to vote.

The movement was instrumental in leading to the 1918 Representation of the People Act which gave the right to vote to some women, and later the 1928 Equal Franchise Act equalising the vote to everyone over the age of 21.

Artefacts include: A copy of the so-called Cat and Mouse Act postcard, a reference to the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health) Act 1913. This was the government’s attempt to stop women from going on hunger strike alongside the brutal actions of force feeding women imprisoned for their actions.

Pamphlets of The Women’s Social and Political Union – the women only WSPU founded in 1903, the militant women only direct-action organisation led by Emmeline Pankhurst.

A Song Sheet of The March of the Women, Music by Ethel Smyth – which became the anthem of the women’s movement.

Posters advertising Suffrage Demonstrations and a 1912 Metropolitan Police charge record against women for “wilful damages” as they took part in demonstrations for the cause.

The struggles of those who fought for the right for women to vote continues to resonate.

“Suffragists” includes items that bring to light the extraordinary work of three women in Sidmouth who were social reformers and active suffragists – peaceful campaigners for the rights of women led by Millicent Fawcett.

This installation was inspired by a recent project to create the Peace Garden Mural - located at the top of Sidmouth High Street at Dissenter of Sidmouth by the Unitarian Chapel. The mural features three women who were so instrumental in shaping Sidmouth for good as well as powerful campaigners for women’s rights and education.

Annie Leigh Browne – a staunch supporter of the Sidmouth and District Women’s Suffrage Society. Annie’s life partner Mary Kilgour who helped set up The Union of Practical Suffragists, and her sister Mary - who later became Lady Lockyer, were educationalists, scientists and philanthropists. Through their funding, campaigns and activism they made significant positive changes to improve the health and lives of women, girls and boys in Sidmouth.

Having bought Woolcombe House, Annie and her sister Mary set up Sidmouth’s first Maternity and Infant Welfare Centre on the ground floor. Annie also purchased 20 acres of land by the River Sid and shaped its design to become a beautiful riverside park. It was on Mary’s land – herself an astronomer and botanist, that the Norman Lockyer Observatory on Salcombe Regis Hill was built.

The legacies of all three inspirational women continue to benefit the community not least that of their actions to win the rights of women to vote.