Julia Solly facts for kids

Julia Frances Solly (born Muspratt; 21 December 1862 – 1953) was an important activist. She worked for women's rights, especially the right to vote. She also supported the temperance movement, which aimed to reduce alcohol use.

After getting married, Julia moved to South Africa. There, she became a well-known leader for women's rights. She helped start the Cape Branch of the Women's Enfranchisement League (WEL). This was the first group in South Africa to fight for women's voting rights. Julia Solly also believed in peace. She was against the Second Boer War and World War I. However, she felt that the Nazis had to be stopped. She also worked on many social reforms. For her work with the National Council of Women, she received the King George Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935.

Early Life and Education

Julia Frances Muspratt was born on 21 December 1862. Her birthplace was Seaforth Hall in Seaforth, Merseyside, England. Her parents were Frances Jane and Edmund Knowles Muspratt.

Julia went to the Cheltenham Ladies' College. She and her sister Nessie were among the first female students at University College, Liverpool. Julia studied botany, which is the study of plants. She focused on plants found in South Africa. After finishing her studies, she traveled to the Americas with her father. They visited Canada and the United States before returning home.

Moving to South Africa and Activism

In the late 1880s, Julia joined the local Women's Liberal Federation. Her sister, Nessie Stewart-Brown, was the president of this group. On 15 June 1890, Julia married Hubert LeGay Solly. He was an English engineer working in South Africa.

That same year, Julia and Hubert moved to De Aar, South Africa. Julia joined the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. This group worked to reduce alcohol use. By 1895, she was leading its section for women's voting rights. Julia was a strong supporter of peace. During the Second Boer War, she wrote letters to her father. She described the terrible things happening in the war.

After the war, her husband retired in 1904 due to health issues. They settled on a farm near Knor Hoek, Sir Lowry's Pass. In 1907, Julia helped create the Cape Branch of the Women's Enfranchisement League (WEL). This was the first group in South Africa to work for women's right to vote. She exchanged letters with Olive Schreiner, another famous writer and activist. Their letters were mostly about getting women the vote. Julia Solly became one of the most recognized leaders in the Cape Colony's movement for women's suffrage.

Working for Social Change

By the time her husband died in 1912, Julia was mostly working in Cape Town. She joined the National Council of Women in 1913. During World War I, Julia helped start the South African Peace and Arbitration Society. She worked with Reverend Ramsden Balmforth. They argued for peace, but few people listened.

Julia was the first woman to join the South African Association for the Advancement of Science. She wrote about how war negatively affects society. In 1916, she became vice-president of the Association for Moral and Social Hygiene. This group worked to improve community health and well-being. Julia wrote articles about making communities safer. She also joined the International Federation for the Abolition of State Regulation of Vice. The women of the National Council of Women even patrolled neighborhoods to help keep them safe. In 1918, Julia ran for election in Salt River Municipality but did not win. In the early 1920s, Julia wrote The Women's Charter. This document was translated and shared with women's groups across the country.

Achieving the Vote for Women

In 1926, Julia Solly spoke to a special parliamentary committee. She argued that women needed the vote to protect their families. At that time, giving women the vote in South Africa was complex. There were concerns about how it would affect the balance of voters. Julia argued that giving white women the vote would increase the number of white voters.

Finally, on 11 April 1930, white women in South Africa gained the right to vote. This was approved by Prime Minister Albert Hertzog's government. By 1935, Julia was a vice-president of the National Council of Women. She received the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal for her dedicated service.

During World War II, Julia Solly and Ramsden Balmforth changed their views on peace. They believed that Adolf Hitler had to be stopped at all costs. Julia Solly passed away in 1953 in Wynberg, Cape Town, South Africa.

See also

In Spanish: Julia Solly para niños