London on Feminism’s Foot Soldiers

Suffragette in London began in the early 20th century. Introduction of suffrage for women in Britain brought about a remarkable change in the social life of British people. Thereafter several changes have been witnessed in the organizational behaviour across associations all over England. The latest to join in this feminist movement is Wimbledon, where they started admitting female members. These members are also allowed to take part in this club’s elections.  

Perhaps the most significant beginning towards women’s suffragette is the relocation of WSPU (Women’s Social and Political Union) headquarters from Manchester to capital city London. Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters through various ways promoted the idea of women’s suffrage. For eight years after shifting to London they initiated several movements to make their ideas public. They had to struggle and even meet with stiff protests from different quarters of British society. With their new headquarter in 4, Clement’s Inn they came closer to Westminster. As a result their heckling of MPs became a routine affair. In 1907, WSPU established a Women’s Parliament in Caxton Street with the agenda of become more forceful in pushing their demand for women’s suffrage. Incidents of window breaking of shops and setting fire to post boxes became a routine affair. Shops on Regent Street, Oxford Street, and the Strand were the worst affected in this arson. 

They once again changed their head office and shifted to Lincoln’s Inn House in Kingsway i 1912. Their trend of destruction remained unaltered even after shifting to this new office. In fact they became more purposive. In the first few weeks of February 1913 an orchid house in Kew Gardens was burnt, telephone and telegraph wires connecting London to Glasgow were cut, and even a jewel case in the fortified Tower was smashed. In 1914, a painting in Royal Academy, five paintings in National Gallery, and a glass case in the British Museum was smashed. Admittance to women in British Museum was stopped. They were only allowed when a surety from a gentleman was submitted. 

As lawlessness of suffragettes increased, the government reacted by sending many of the protesters to Islington Holloway Prison. In 1909 Marion Wallace Dunlop was imprisoned for damaging St. Stephen’s Hall. In the prison Marion started a hunger strike which soon became a trend among all women prisoners. The prison authorities had a very tough time in feeding the inmates, and force-feeding was introduced. 

The movement of suffrage for women is now acknowledged and several memorials have been erected to honour this movement and their proponents. The grave of Emmeline Pankhurst in Brompton Cemetery attracts tourists every day. She was honoured for her contribution to British society with a statue erected in Victoria Tower Gardens. The entire suffragette movement is acknowledged by a plaque put up in Christchurch Gardens in 1970. 

According to London Remembers, there are more than a dozen monuments glorifying the struggle for women suffrage in London or for that matter, Great Britain. Among these, memorial to Christabel Pankhurst, Minnie Lansbury clock tower on Bow Street, and People’s Plaque to Edith Garrud in Islington stand out. Garrud was a 4 ft 11 inch jiujutsu expert who trained other members in this combat martial art. An accommodation in Kensington is perhaps ideal for visiting these memorials during your stay in London.

Museum of London is perhaps the best place to have a display of exhibits related to suffrage movement in London. Here you could see  Emmeline Pankhurst’s hunger strike silver medal, Emily Wilding Davison’s flag while she lay in hospital, handouts publicising suffrage demonstrations, and several photographs of the struggle and protests of London suffragettes. 

The British Museum is another place for exploring items connected with this movement in London. An early 20th century penny defaced by suffragettes is perhaps the most outstanding exhibit in this museum, and is among the world’s top 100 museum collections. The penny is described as a ‘deft act of civil disobedience’. 

Women’s Library in London School of Economics is another venue of discovering women’s suffrage history in London. Emily Wilding Davison’s history and struggle is stored in a digital version for enthusiasts. You could go through the entire show relaxing in a sofa. 

It is possible to take a self guided tour to the different locations in London connected with women’s suffrage movement. Women’s Walk app developed by London School of Economics Library is immensely helpful in this tour. 

To know London it is essential to know about its suffrage struggle and ultimate acceptance of women as an inseparable part of England’s political set up. 

For staying in London during your tour, Park Grand Kensington accommodation would be perfect. This luxury hotel takes care of your comfort and necessities with warmth and cheerfulness. It is a place where you could indulge and relax without any worries. Climate controlled rooms are well appointed with luxury beds, adequate furniture with matching furnishings, and high quality drapery. Refrigerator with mini bar, electronic safe, tea/ coffee maker, LED television with satellite channels, DVD player, broadband internet connection, and Wi-Fi capability makes your stay totally stress free. En-suite bathroom with shower, round the clock hot and cold water, hair dryer and complimentary toiletries take care of your personal grooming. 

Dining is a speciality in this luxury hotel. Recipes from across the globe are certain to satisfy your culinary demands. After a tiring day of sightseeing or a hard day in office you could relax with your favourite drink. A coffee shop is there to meet your friends or your clients over lip smacking savouries and tea. 

Business centre in this hotel takes care of all your secretarial jobs. Conference halls with latest digital presentation equipments make your meetings interesting and arresting. Travel desk takes care of your ticketing, foreign exchange requirements, and car rentals. Health spa and fully equipped gymnasium allows you to stay fit and energized round the clock.