The Women's Social & Political Union
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| Taken in Batley, 1907. From left to right: Gertrude Ellen Brook, Adela Pankhurst, Patricia Woodlock and Mary Leigh. From the Kirklees Museums Collection. |
The WSPU was created in Manchester In 1903 by a small group of women including the socialist Pankhurst family. It was a women-only organisation that promoted gender solidarity.
The leaders quickly became frustrated by the lack of progress made by the campaign and began using 'militant' tactics. Audiences were shocked as women began interrupted political meetings and heckling speakers.
Their campaign of 'Deeds Not Words' included attacking properties, smashing windows, planting bombs in empty houses and letter boxes.
The youngest Pankhurst daughter, Adela, was a brilliant public speaker. She regularly addressed large crowds across the region. Women rallied behind the cause as she spoke of the greater opportunities and freedoms that voting would bring. Branches were established in Dewsbury, Batley and, most successfully in Huddersfield.
Find out more about these branches:
Objects from the Kirklees Collection:
Woven ribbon badge
The Huddersfield branch had chosen black and white as their colours and created a branch banner in 1907. They were in the process of commissioning scarves, badges and rosettes when news was sent that they must use purple, white and green instead.
Votes for Women newspapers
The WSPU launched the 'Votes for Women' newspaper in October 1907 with monthly editions and weekly supplements. By 1909, 40,000 copies were sold every week. The newspaper included reports from each region and updates leaders.
Official postcards of Mrs Emmeline Pethwick-Lawrence
and Mrs Charlotte Despard
In 1907 Despard left the WSPU and in November of that year formed the Women's Freedom League. By 1914, the WFL had 4,000 members. Although they will have been known to the suffragists of Kirklees, the WFL never managed to form large groups in 'Kirklees' and little is known about their activity in the area.
Postcard of Suffragettes in Batley from Batley News, May 1908
This postcard shows members of the WSPU in Batley handing out leaflets for a protest meeting. The area was a Liberal stronghold and the organisation was keen to turn voters against the Liberal government that refused to grant women the vote.
From left to right: Gertrude Ellen Brook, Adela Pankhurst, Patricia Woodlock (WSPU Liverpool) and Mary Leigh (Lancashire). Mary was one of the first two women to be arrested for window smashing in the name of the WSPU. She is holding one of the very first copies of the WSPU's newspaper 'Votes for Women.'
Souvenir paper napkin programme from 'Women's Sunday'
21st June 1908
Women's Sunday was the largest demonstration London had ever seen with 40,000 in attendance. It had been organised by the WSPU and included women from branches across the country. Processions were organised with... The destination was Hyde Park where 80 speakers could be seen on 20 platforms including Huddersfield's own: Gertrude Brook.
The WSPU was desperate to demonstrate the strength of support for 'Votes for Women' and to show women alone could organise such and extravagant event.
The Huddersfield branch was put under great pressure to send 200 'delegates'. Members were encouraged to save 11 shillings for the train fare. Attendees should wear all white with accessories in the new official WSPU colours of purple and green. This wasn't an easy task for many of the working-class women.
After only 24 tickets were sold, Emmeline Pankhurst and Nell Kenney rushed to the area to... work out the problem. After door to door canvassing and some financial help, 60 women from Huddersfield made the journey to London.
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