Celebrating women and women’s suffrage

The First World War had a significant impact on women across Wales, both at the time and through subsequent changes in society. Many women were affected personally through loss of brothers, sons, husbands or other relatives, but their own efforts deserve recognition as well. Women began to work in jobs that they were previously excluded from, developing confidence and skills that would encourage them to seek other freedom, in politics and public life.

For many women the war work was often dangerous and poorly paid, particularly for those who worked in munitions factories in Wales, risking their health and lives. Some Welsh women travelled abroad to work in the field hospitals across Europe, often in appalling conditions. Women in Wales were also heavily involved in various campaigns, particularly for peace and suffrage. Whilst primarily intended to support the efforts of working class men, the Representation of the People Act 1918 gave the vote to women for the first time. This tripled the electorate as it gave the vote to men over the age of 21 (or 19 and over if they had served in the war), and to women over 30 (providing they were either owners of property, or married to owners of property). Women received the right to vote on the same grounds as men ten years later in 1928. The Welsh Government commemorated women’s right to vote and their contribution to the war through funding a range of activities and initiatives. This included grants to 12 community groups, museums and third sector organisations for their suffrage commemoration events. The Welsh Government’s internal Women Together Network celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act 1918 with a series of events throughout 2018 including speaker events, a procession in Cardiff and a mass participation artwork activity. The Women’s Equality Network (WEN) Wales launched its ‘100 Welsh Women’ project, sponsored by the Welsh Government, to celebrate the lives of great Welsh women, 50 of whom were from the past and 50 inspiring women who are currently shaping Wales. An important element was to create a statue of one of these women. Betty Campbell, the first Black and Minority Ethnic woman to be a head teacher in Wales, was announced as the winner and her statue will be erected in Central Square, Cardiff. The Welsh Government worked in partnership with Chwarae Teg and WEN Wales, to fund purple plaques for many of the 100 women being recognised as part of this project. See: www.100welshwomen.wales

Left: Margaret Mackworth, Lady Rhondda, who was involved in the suffrage movement and was also included in the list of ‘100 Welsh Women’. Photographer is unknown, but photo is known to be out of copyright. The original is held by A. V. Morgan, who has given permission for its use by Wiki Commons. CC BY-SA. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:MARGARET_MACKWORTH,_VISCOUNTESS_RHONDDA.jpg