Church League for Women's Suffrage facts for kids
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The Church League for Women's Suffrage (CLWS) was a group that worked for women's suffrage in the United Kingdom. This means they wanted women to have the right to vote. The league started in London in 1909. By 1913, it had many branches across England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.
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What the League Wanted to Achieve
The CLWS had a clear goal: to get women the right to vote in both church and government, just like men. It took over 100 years for women to become bishops in the Church of England.
The Church League allowed its members to join other groups working for women's equality. However, the CLWS itself used only "Prayer and Education" to achieve its goals. One good thing about the League was that it showed the Church cared about women's right to vote.
Edith Picton-Turbervill was the first woman to preach in a Church of Ireland church. She did this with the approval of the Archbishop of Dublin. She was speaking in Ireland because of the CLWS.
Important People in the League
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The Reverend Claude Hinscliff started the League in 1909. He was its secretary for a long time. Other people who helped start the group included Margaret Nevinson, Olive Wharry, and Joan Cather.
Many well-known people were members. These included Frances Balfour, Louise Creighton, and Maude Royden. Constance Lytton and Katherine Harley were also members.
Emily Wilding Davison, who sadly died at the Epsom Derby, was a member. Her funeral was held at St George's, Bloomsbury. The vicar, Charles Baumgarten, led the service. Claude Hinscliff and Charles Escreet also took part.
The Irish Church was at first hesitant to support the League. This was because the League did not speak out against the actions of some suffragettes who used more forceful methods. By 1913, Florence Canning led the main committee. She was one of six members known for their strong actions.
The League of the Church Militant
After World War I ended, a new law was passed in 1918. This law, called the Representation of the People Act 1918, gave many women the right to vote. Because of this, the League decided to change its focus.
In 1919, the group changed its name to The League of the Church Militant. They continued to work for full voting equality for women. This was achieved with the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928. The League also worked on other modern church ideas. They especially focused on allowing women to become priests.
However, the group's past connection to the suffrage movement limited its new work. It closed down shortly before the 1930 Lambeth Conference. This was a big meeting of Anglican bishops from around the world. A new group, the Anglican Group for the Ordination of Women to the Historic Ministry, took over its work.
See also
- List of suffragists and suffragettes § Major suffrage organizations
- List of women's organizations
- List of women's rights activists
- Timeline of women's suffrage
- Churches Militant, Penitent, and Triumphant - the phrase "the church militant" means Christians on Earth who are working for good.
