Lolita Roy facts for kids
Lolita Roy, born in 1865, was an inspiring Indian social reformer. She was also a suffragist, meaning she actively worked for women's right to vote. Lolita Roy played a big role in the lives of Indians living in London. She also helped lead campaigns for women's voting rights in both Britain and India. In 1911, a newspaper called The Vote described her as 'one of the most emancipated of Indian women'. This meant she was very independent and modern for her time.
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A Life of Purpose
Lolita Roy was born in Calcutta, India in 1865. Around 1886, she married Piera Lal Roy, who was a lawyer. They had six children together. By the year 1900, Lolita Roy and her children were living in West London.
Helping Indians in London
In London, Lolita Roy was very active in many groups that supported Indians. She was the president of the London Indian Union Society. This group helped Indian university students who were studying in London. In 1909, she also helped to create the Indian Women's Education Association. This group worked to raise money so Indian women could travel to Britain and train to become teachers.
Fighting for the Vote
Lolita Roy was an important part of the movement that fought for women's right to vote. On June 17, 1911, a large march called the Women's Coronation Procession took place. This march used the coronation of King George V to demand that women be allowed to vote.
Lolita Roy and another activist, Jane Cobden, brought together a small group of Indian women for the march. They were part of an 'Imperial contingent'. This group showed that women's voting rights were supported across the British Empire. A famous photo from the procession shows Lolita Roy, Mrs. Bhagwati Bhola Nauth, and Mrs. Leilavati Mukerjea, who was Lolita's daughter.
In 1912 and 1913, Lolita Roy also helped with several Indian plays that were performed in London and Cambridge. She gave advice and helped the performers with traditional clothing like turbans and saris.
During World War I
During World War I, two of Lolita Roy's sons served in the military. Her oldest son, Paresh Lal Roy, served throughout the war. When he returned to India in the 1920s, he became very important in making boxing popular there. Her middle son, Indra Lal Roy, joined the Royal Flying Corps and was killed in action in 1918.
Lolita Roy also worked as the honorary secretary of the Eastern League. This group raised money for the Indian Soldiers' Fund. They provided clothing, food, and other important items to Indian soldiers. In 1916, Lolita Roy and other suffragists helped organize a 'Ladies Day' in Haymarket, London. They sold items to raise even more money for the soldiers.
Working for Indian Women's Rights
Besides her work for voting rights in Britain, Lolita Roy also worked hard for women's right to vote in India. She sent requests to the British government and attended meetings at the House of Commons. She also gave public speeches to support Indian women's suffrage. Throughout the 1920s, she continued her work for voting rights in India, including through the All India Women's Conference.
Lolita Roy's exact death date is not known.
Her Lasting Impact
In recent years, historians and activists in Britain have worked to give more recognition to people of foreign origin who helped the British suffrage movement. Lolita Roy is one of these important figures.
Dr. Sumita Mukherjee, a historian, has studied the role of Indian women in the suffrage movement. She explains that many people in the West have often overlooked the contributions of women of color in bringing about this change. Dr. Mukherjee's research shows that there was a strong suffrage movement in India. She also found that these women created connections with other suffrage campaigners around the world.
In April 2018, a special display was placed under the Millicent Fawcett statue in Parliament Square. This display featured images of two women of Indian origin: Sophia Duleep Singh and Lolita Roy. In the same year, an exhibition was held at Hammersmith Town Hall. It included artwork that celebrated Lolita Roy's important work in the suffrage movement.
