The Suffragettes and the Media HANNAH BLACKWOOD STUDENT

The Suffragettes and the Media HANNAH BLACKWOOD STUDENT NUMBER: 1900076199

The Suffragettes Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), founded in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), led by Millicent Fawcett 20 th century Britain - women’s suffrage was a huge issue Women began to grow tired = birth of the suffrage movement Patriarchal society Restrictions for women in all areas By 1910 The Times reported that there were 21 Suffrage organisations E. g. wages, pensions, child custody, education, housing, etc. ”The Suffragette” newspaper Wanted to engage with the press

The Relationship between the Suffragettes and the Media The media was a key component in the suffrage movement Not always a supportive relationship The Times – politically hostile towards women’s suffrage The Guardian and the Observer – sympathetic to suffragists but much less tolerant of militant action

Was the media more of a help or a hindrance to the Suffragette movement? Women’s war work = positive image and change of public opinion Press largely used their platform to promote and praise women Suffragettes used the media AND the media used the Suffragettes = mutually beneficial “the suffragettes were brilliant for the sales, because they really made for big headlines and helped to sell a lot of papers" However, not always a positive image; negative stereotypes ‘The Heid o’ the Hoose’ – Scottish comedy sketch Despite this, women used the media to their own benefit Votes for Women: 1907 -1909 circulation rose from 200 per month to 30, 000 per week

Research Main Results Conclusion Clear relationship between the media and the Suffragettes The media had both advantages AND disadvantages Deliberate or coincidence? Overall, more positives than negatives Suffragettes knew the importance of the media The media was more of a HELP than a hindrance