Irish Women's Suffrage Society facts for kids

The Irish Women's Suffrage Society was an important group that worked to get women the right to vote in Ireland. It was first started in 1872 by Isabella Tod and was called the North of Ireland Women's Suffrage Society. This group worked very hard to convince lawmakers. Because of their efforts, a new law in 1887 allowed people in Belfast to vote in city elections, and this included women, not just men. This was a big step! Women in Belfast got to vote in local elections eleven years before women in other parts of Ireland did.

A New Name and More Work

In 1909, the group changed its name to the Irish Women's Suffrage Society. Its main office was in Belfast, but it also had smaller groups in other parts of northern Ireland. The members met every week in Belfast to talk about important social issues. They discussed things like improving working conditions for women and ensuring equal opportunities.

During a big political disagreement in Ireland between 1912 and 1913, the Society held many outdoor meetings in Belfast. They also stood outside factories during lunch breaks to talk to working women and get them involved.

Important Members

Many dedicated women were key members of the Irish Women's Suffrage Society. These included Margaret McCoubrey, Elizabeth McCracken (who was also a writer), and Elizabeth Gould Bell. Elizabeth Bell was especially notable because she was the first woman in Ireland to become a qualified gynaecologist, a doctor specializing in women's health.

Winifred Carney, a secretary for a trade union and a close friend of James Connolly, also joined the society. In 1913, another group called the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) started organizing in Belfast. This group was led by Dorothy Evans, who was sent by Christabel Pankhurst. Many members of the Irish Women's Suffrage Society joined this new British group. They took strong actions to protest against politicians who were not supporting women's right to vote.

The Society Disbands

By April 1914, Dorothy Evans had convinced so many members of the Irish Women's Suffrage Society to join the WSPU that the original society officially closed down.

Another group that was more focused on strong protests for women's voting rights was started in Lisburn by Lillian Metge. She also worked with Dorothy Evans in the WSPU's campaigns.

See also

• Women's suffrage organizations
• Timeline of women's suffrage
• List of suffragists and suffragettes