Brighton and Hove marks 100 years of women's suffrage

Suffragettes Demonstrating Outside The Police Court, picture licenced by Creative Commons by Johnny Cyprus

This week’s tourism, development and culture committee received a report on how the authority is involved in celebrating the centenary.

Events in Brighton and Hove include installing blue plaques to celebrate prominent women Minnie Turner, Elizabeth Robins and Clementina Black, whose plaque is expected to be installed on November 18.

Blue plaques for the suffragettes

Calls for blue plaque for city suffragettes

Brighton Dome has been recognised for its suffragette history

Another plaque celebrating the headquarters of one of the first Women’s Social and Political Unions is due to go up close to the North Street quadrant.

Research by the Women’s History Group is contributing to topics for talks, information and publicity material, including suffrage trail maps, a website and social media platforms.

The council has been involved through the Royal Pavilion and Museums Service (including at The Keep) and has supported activities organised by other organisations through Visit Brighton.

From November as part of the Women Up: Suffrage Memorial Project Brighton Museum is creating a display located in the Images of Brighton gallery.

It will feature suffrage objects from the city’s collections including the Votes for Women sash and Holloway prison brooch belonging to Brighton’s prominent suffragette Minnie Turner.

Turner’s life was celebrated during the February half term with events for children at Brighton Museum.

The report concludes: “As an important centre for suffrage activities, the council has sought to highlight the contribution of locally prominent figures in the movement and the provide access to the city’s collections in a series of relevant, accessible and well-informed projects serving a range of audiences.

“It has collaborated to support groups in the community to mark the anniversary at the Royal Pavilion and Museums, at The Keep and through the support and promotion of Visit Brighton.”

Sarah Booker-Lewis is the Local Democracy Reporter for Brighton & Hove.

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