TIMELINE 1832 First Reform Act: Male householders gain the vote.
1866 Hastings resident Barbara Bodichon draws up petition demanding votes for women. Gathers 1500 signatures.
1867 Liberal MP John Stuart Mill calls for women to be included in the Second Reform Bill. He fails to convince the House of Commons. London Society for Women’s Suffrage formed.
1869 Women ratepayers can vote in local elections.
1871 First women’s suffrage meeting takes place in Hastings.
1880s Local women hold ‘drawing room’ meetings.
1883 Hastings and St Leonards Women’s Suffrage Society (HSLWSS) formed to campaign for votes for women.
1884 Third Reform Act: male
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agricultural labourers gain the vote, but not women.
1897 National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) formed, led by Millicent Fawcett. (Suffragists)
1903 Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) formed led by Emmeline Pankhurst. (Suffragettes) HSLWSS opens office in 29 Havelock Road.
1904 Women’s Freedom League (WLF) founded
1905 Suffragette militancy begins.
1907 The ‘Mud March’ demonstration, London
1908 February: Christabel Pankhurst, Flora Drummond and Mrs Martel mobbed in Wellington Square, Hastings March: Emmeline Pankhurst speaks at the Royal Concert Hall, Warrior Gardens. June: Hastings suffragists and suffragettes travel to London for huge suffrage demonstration.
