SPREADING THE WORD Suffragists and suffragettes knew it was essential to get their message across to the public. Television and mobile phones did not exist so newspapers were vitally important. Activists publicised their activities through all the existing press but also produced and sold their own newspapers. The National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) published its own newspaper, The Common Cause. It first appeared in April 1909 and continued publication until 1918. One of the editors was Brighton-born suffragist, Clementina Black. The Common Cause was sold widely around the country, including in Hastings. It kept suffragists up to date with news about the women’s suffrage campaign and also helped to increase membership. By 1913, the NUWSS had around 100,000 members countrywide, organised within some 600 societies. The Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) published various newspapers. One was Votes for Women, which was one of the most widely circulated and influential of the suffrage papers. First published in 1907 as a monthly paper, from 1908 it appeared weekly. It included news, notice of demonstrations and advertisements for suffrage-themed goods. Following a split within the WSPU over militancy, the WSPU started another newspaper, The Suffragette, edited by Christabel Pankhurst. Hastings suffragette Isabel Hogg sold The Suffragette in the town centre.
Symbolic colours WSPU colours were green, white and purple: green for life or hope, white for purity and dignity, and purple for honour. Suffragettes wore these colours whenever they went on demonstrations.
28
