Dublin Women's Suffrage Association facts for kids
The Dublin Women's Suffrage Association (DSWA) was a group in Dublin, Ireland, that worked to get women the right to vote. It was later known as the Irish Women's Suffrage and Local Government Association (IWSLGA). This association was active from 1876 to 1919. Besides voting rights, they also wanted women to have a bigger say in local government and public life.
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What Was the Dublin Women's Suffrage Association?
The Dublin Women's Suffrage Association (DSWA) was a very important group. Its main goal was to achieve "women's suffrage." Suffrage means the right to vote in elections. At the time, women in Ireland and many other places could not vote. The DSWA wanted to change this.
How It Started
The idea for the DSWA began in 1872. A committee was set up by Anna Haslam and her husband, Thomas Haslam. This happened after a meeting in Dublin where Isabella Tod, a suffragist from Belfast, spoke.
The DSWA officially started on January 26, 1876. Their first meeting was held at the Exhibition Palace in Earlsfort Terrace, which is now the National Concert Hall.
The association changed its name several times as women gained more rights:
- After the Poor Law Guardians (Ireland) (Women) Act in 1896, women could be elected to local boards that helped the poor. The group then became the Dublin Women's Suffrage and Poor Law Guardians' Association.
- After the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, women could serve on local councils. So, the group changed its name again to the Dublin Women's Suffrage and Local Government Association.
- In 1901, they started branches outside Dublin and became the Irish Women's Suffrage and Local Government Association (IWSLGA).
Working for Change
The association always used peaceful and legal methods to achieve its goals. They did not use violence or protests that broke the law. They also welcomed people from different backgrounds, including those who supported unionism (staying part of the UK) and those who supported nationalism (Ireland becoming independent).
Their main tactics included:
- Making friends with politicians in parliament.
- Hosting meetings with important speakers.
- Publishing pamphlets and newspapers to share their ideas.
Anna Haslam and Miss McDowell were the first secretaries of the group. Anna Haslam served as secretary for a very long time, until 1913. To join the association, Anna Haslam suggested a small yearly fee of one shilling.
Besides getting the vote, the group also wanted women to get important jobs. These jobs included "rate collectors" (who collected local taxes) and "sanitary inspectors" (who made sure public health rules were followed).
Important People and Their Roles
Many dedicated people were part of the association.
- Anna Haslam was a key leader and secretary for many years.
- In the 20th century, important members included Lady Margaret Dockrell, Mary Hayden, and Bridget Dudley Edwards.
- Well-known supporters included Charles Cameron, Sir Andrew Reed, and Members of Parliament like Willie Redmond and William Field.
After the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 was passed, Lady Dockrell became one of the first women to be appointed as a Justice of the Peace. A Justice of the Peace is a person who can deal with minor legal cases and swear people in.
What They Achieved
The association played a part in several important changes for women in Ireland:
- Poor Law Guardians (Ireland) (Women) Act 1896: This law allowed women to be elected to boards that managed aid for the poor.
- Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898: This law allowed women to serve on local councils, giving them a voice in how their towns and counties were run.
- Representation of the People Act 1918: This was a major step! It gave some women the right to vote in parliamentary elections and full voting rights in local elections.
- Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919: This law made it easier for women to hold many public jobs and professions that were previously only for men.
The End of the Association
In 1919, after many of their goals were achieved, the IWSLGA merged with another group called the Irish Women's Association of Citizenship. They formed a new organization called the Irish Women Citizens' and Local Government Association. This group later became the Irish Women's Citizens Association. In 1949, it merged with the Irish Housewives Association.
The Dublin Women's Suffrage Association and its later forms were crucial in helping women gain more rights and a bigger role in Irish society.
