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.

LOCAL FOCUS: Elsie Bowerman

Born in Tunbridge Wells, Elsie Bowerman moved to St Leonards in 1911, where her mother, Edith Chibnall, was a WSPU activist. Elsie too was an active suffragette and member of the WSPU. She helped to run the WSPU shop and was a full-time paid organizer. She wrote regularly to the local paper and is shown here selling newspapers and collecting subscriptions for the WSPU. In 1912 she and her mother were among the very few passengers who survived the Titanic disaster.

Merchandising

Suffragettes and suffragists were brilliant publicists. Way ahead of their time, they also recognized the value of branding. Demonstrations, dramatic stunts and suffrage colours all helped to publicise the women’s fight for the vote. Suffrage societies produced postcards, badges and flyers and, also used fashion and merchandising to promote their cause. West End stores dressed their windows with fashionable clothes in the suffragette colours and also sold tea towels, table clothes and dinner sets in purple, green and white.

People could buy packs of cards carrying suffragette figures and a popular board game called Pank-A-Squith. Taking its name from WSPU leader Emmeline Pankhurst and Prime Minister Asquith who refused to give votes to women, it was a race game played on a round board. 29