Elsa Gye facts for kids

Elsa Gye (1881–1943) was a talented music student who became a suffragette. Suffragettes were women who fought for the right to vote. Elsa was involved in many important events in London and Scotland. She even went to prison because she believed women should have the right to vote.

Quick facts for kids Elsa Gye
Charlotte Marsh, Dorothy Radcliffe and Elsa Gye on 22 December 1908. They were waiting to welcome Christabel Pankhurst as she left prison.
Born	October 3, 1881
Died	1943
Nationality	British
Education	Guildhall School of Music
Organization	Women's Social and Political Union
Known for	suffragette activism and creating the Suffragette Record Room, London
Spouse(s)	William Ewart Gye (né Bullock) (he took her surname)

Elsa married William Ewart Gye in 1911. He was the brother of her friend and fellow suffragette, Daisy Bullock. William was studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh at the time. Their first child was born in 1912. Interestingly, William decided to take Elsa's last name. Later, Elsa helped create the Suffragette Record Room in London. This room kept important records about the women's suffrage movement.

Elsa Gye's Early Life and Education

Elsa Gye grew up and went to school in England. She studied at Croydon High School. After that, she attended the Guildhall School of Music. She was a very dedicated music student.

Fighting for Women's Vote

Elsa Gye was a brave and active suffragette. She joined many protests to demand voting rights for women.

Protests and Imprisonment

In February 1908, Elsa was part of a large group of women. They hid in furniture vans to get close to Parliament in London. Then, they rushed towards the building. Elsa was arrested during this protest. She was sentenced to six weeks in prison.

Elsa had met Daisy Bullock in 1907. She also worked with other famous suffragettes. These included Gladice Keevil, Nellie Martel, and Emmeline Pankhurst. They often interrupted speeches by important politicians. For example, they disrupted a meeting where Chancellor H. Asquith was speaking in Nottingham.

In 1908, Elsa worked with Minnie Baldock. They helped open a local branch of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in Nottingham. The WSPU was a leading group for women's suffrage. When Elsa was released from prison in April 1909, WSPU members celebrated her. They held a special breakfast for her and other former prisoners.

Activism in Scotland

Elsa Gye also took her fight for votes to Scotland. In 1908, she went to Dundee. This was during a special election campaign for Winston Churchill. Churchill had lost his previous seat in Peckham.

Elsa joined Rachel Barrett and Helen Fraser in Dundee. They attended over 200 meetings. They spoke at factories and even at the large Gaiety Theatre. They gathered big crowds to hear their message. They criticized the Prime Minister for not giving women the right to vote.

Supporting Fellow Suffragettes

Elsa was very supportive of other suffragettes. In 1909, she helped Constance Lytton. Constance was starting her activism. Elsa suggested that Constance should try to get arrested. This would help her make speeches and get attention for the cause.

Elsa also helped organize noisy protests. She worked with Gladys Keevil. They protested at Budget meetings in Birmingham in September 1909. Firefighters were even on standby because of the protests. Other women threw slates from a nearby roof. This was to make noise and drown out Asquith's speech.

Years later, in 1928, the mother of Elsie Howey wrote to Elsa. Elsie was another suffragette. Her mother complained about how harsh treatments in prison had affected Elsie's voice.

Elsa Gye's Later Life and Legacy

After 1918, some women in the United Kingdom finally gained the right to vote. This happened with the Representation of the People Act 1918.

Elsa Gye's husband, William, became a doctor. He worked on important cancer research. He also studied infections during World War I.

Elsa Gye played a key role in creating the Suffragette Record Room in London. This room helped preserve the history of the suffrage movement. It made sure that the efforts of these brave women would not be forgotten. Elsa Gye passed away in 1943.

See also

In Spanish: Elsa Gye para niños