Irish Women's Franchise League facts for kids
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| Formation | 1908 |
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| Dissolved | 1918 |
The Irish Women's Franchise League (IWFL) was an important group in Ireland. It was created in Dublin in November 1908. Its main goal was to get women's suffrage, which means the right for women to vote.
Some of its first members were Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington, Margaret Cousins, Francis Sheehy-Skeffington, and James H. Cousins. Thomas MacDonagh was also a member.
The IWFL had its own newspaper called The Irish Citizen. It was published from 1912 to 1920. Francis Sheehy-Skeffington and James Cousins were the first editors. Lillian Metge was a reporter for the paper. She also started the Lisburn Suffrage Society.
Contents
The Fight for Votes: A Look at IWFL's History
In the early 1900s, many powerful people did not want women to vote. The Irish Parliamentary Party, led by John Redmond, was against it. The British Prime Minister, Asquith, also disagreed with women voting.
Founding the League: A New Beginning
In November 1908, Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington and Margaret Cousins decided to act. With their husbands, Francis and James, they started the Irish Women's Franchise League.
Taking Action: Protests and Arrests
In June 1912, the IWFL decided to take stronger action. Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington, Margaret Cousins, and six other members broke windows at government buildings. This included the GPO in Dublin. They were arrested and sent to jail for their protest.
The next month, Prime Minister Asquith visited Dublin. Francis Sheehy-Skeffington managed to get into his meeting. He loudly demanded votes for women before being removed. Outside, British women who supported suffrage, Mary Leigh and Gladys Evans, attacked Asquith's carriage. During this, John Redmond was hurt. The British women started a hunger strike in prison. The jailed Irish IWFL members joined them to show their support.
In March 1913, a statue of John Redmond was damaged. This was a protest because the Irish Parliamentary Party did not support a bill for women's voting rights. In contrast, James Connolly, a labor leader, supported the women. He traveled from Belfast to speak at an IWFL meeting. Members of the ITGWU even protected the women as they left the meetings.
Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington's Stand
Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington lost her teaching job in 1913. This happened after she was arrested and jailed for three months for throwing stones at Dublin Castle. While in jail, she started a hunger strike. She was released temporarily because she was very ill. This was under a law that allowed sick prisoners to be released, but she was soon arrested again.
Changing Times: War and Politics
The IWFL remained neutral on the issue of Home Rule for Ireland. However, they were against World War One. After Francis Sheehy-Skeffington was killed in 1916 during the Easter Rising, the league started to support Sinn Féin.
The IWFL found it hard to become strong in Northern Ireland. Some members of the Women's Social and Political Union in Belfast, like Elizabeth McCracken and Margaret McCoubrey, looked to the IWFL. They questioned why women should stop fighting for their rights during the war. However, efforts to start a branch in Belfast failed due to political differences.
After women over 30 gained the right to vote in the 1918 Irish general election, the IWFL's main goal was achieved. The organization naturally became less active and soon stopped operating.
Important People in the League
Many dedicated people were part of the Irish Women's Franchise League:
- Mrs Charles Oldham was the first president.
- Mrs Hannah Sheehy Skeffington was the first secretary.
- Margaret Cousins was the first treasurer.
- Jenny Wyse Power joined around 1916.
- Cissie Cahalan was president three times. She was one of the few working-class women in the movement.
- Rosamund Jacob was also a member.
- Marguerite Palmer served as honorary secretary.
- Marjorie Hasler joined in 1910. She was jailed for breaking windows. Many believe her early death was due to her time in prison. She is seen by some as "the first Irish martyr for the suffragette cause."
- Edith Young was active in the Galway branch.
- Lillian Metge was active in the Lisburn branch and a reporter for the Irish Citizen. She received a special medal after being jailed for a protest, but was released without a sentence as World War One was about to begin.
- Patricia Hoey was the first president of the London branch of the IWFL.
See also
- List of suffragists and suffragettes
- List of women's rights activists
- List of women's rights organizations
- Timeline of women's suffrage
- Women's suffrage organizations
