Suffragettes: A History in Trousers

The history of the suffragette movement is a story of extraordinary courage and perseverance. In Britain, the fight for women's suffrage began in the mid-19th century but became truly mass-scale in the early 20th century thanks to Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters. They founded the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1903 with the motto "Deeds, not words."

After decades of peaceful petitions that Parliament ignored, suffragettes turned to radical action: they smashed shop windows, set fire to mailboxes, and chained themselves to the railings of government buildings. Many were arrested and went on hunger strikes in prison, after which they were subjected to force-feeding — a brutal procedure that shocked society and drew attention to the movement.

In 1913, Emily Davison walked onto the track at the Epsom Derby and threw herself in front of King George V's horse — she died and became a symbol of the struggle. World War I temporarily halted protests, but women's participation in the war economy convincingly proved their civic capacity. In 1918, British women over 30 gained the right to vote, and in 1928 suffrage was extended to all women over 21.

But suffragism is not just a British story. In New Zealand, women gained the right to vote as early as 1893. In Finland — in 1906. In Switzerland — only in 1971, and in Saudi Arabia — in 2015. The fight for women's political representation continues today.