Marjorie Hasler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marjorie Hasler
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| Born | c.1887 |
| Died | 31 March 1913 (aged 25–26) |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Known for | Activism as a suffragette |
Marjorie Hasler (born around 1887 – died March 31, 1913) was an Irish woman who bravely fought for women's right to vote. She was a dedicated suffragette, and some people called her "the first Irish martyr for the suffragette cause" because of her strong commitment.
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The Life of Marjorie Hasler
Marjorie Hasler was born in Ireland around 1887. We don't know much about her early life or family. In July 1910, she joined a group called the Irish Women's Franchise League (IWFL). This group worked to get women the right to vote.
Fighting for the Vote
On November 18, 1910, Marjorie Hasler traveled to London. She was one of several Irish representatives supporting Emmeline Pankhurst. Pankhurst was trying to give a special request, called a petition, to the British Prime Minister, H. H. Asquith.
That day became known as "Black Friday" because of the violence that happened. During the events, Marjorie was pushed against a wall. She suffered a head injury and also hurt her spine. After this, she sometimes had headaches.
Even though she was hurt, Marjorie did not stop fighting for women's rights. The next year, she went back to London. She was sent to prison for 14 days because she broke government windows. This was a way for suffragettes to protest and draw attention to their cause.
Imprisonment and Protest
In June 1912, Marjorie Hasler was arrested again. She was with Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington and six other women. They were all sent to Mountjoy Prison in Dublin. Their crime was breaking windows at the General Post Office, Dublin. These eight women were the first to be jailed in Ireland for taking strong actions as suffragettes.
Marjorie was fined £10 and given a six-month prison sentence. This was the longest sentence given to any of the eight women. While in prison, Marjorie wrote an article for a newspaper called The Irish Citizen. On June 22, 1912, she compared suffragettes to Land Leaguers. These were people who fought for farmers' rights.
Marjorie wrote: "We don't like smashing windows any more than men like smashing skulls, but in both cases there is, I believe, a strong feeling that something must be broken before a wrong can be righted." She meant that sometimes, people feel they must take strong action to fix a big problem.
Marjorie was released from prison on November 10, 1912. She had served four months of her sentence. Ten of the jury members who had found her guilty signed a request for her release. Hanna Sheehy Skeffington said that Marjorie did not want the IWFL to also ask for her release.
Later Life and Legacy
After leaving prison, Marjorie Hasler's health was not good. However, Hanna Sheehy Skeffington also remembered Marjorie doing athletic things while in prison.
Marjorie Hasler sadly died suddenly on March 31, 1913. She had caught measles, and her death was described as heart failure. Her fellow suffragettes and The Irish Citizen newspaper believed that her time in prison and the rough treatment she received had damaged her health.
Hanna Sheehy Skeffington described Marjorie as "singularly beautiful." She said Marjorie had a "face clear-cut as a cameo, with flashing brown eyes, framed in short brown curls." Marjorie Hasler is remembered as a brave woman who fought for women's right to vote in Ireland.
