Orcadian Women's Suffrage Society facts for kids

Women campaigning for the right to vote in the early 1900s.

The Orcadian Women's Suffrage Association was a group in Orkney, Scotland. They worked hard to get women the right to vote. This was a big step for equality in the early 1900s.

How the Group Started

The Orcadian Women's Suffrage Association held its first meeting on September 25, 1909. It took place at the home of James and Bina Cursiter in Orkney. This meeting happened about a month after Chrystal Macmillan visited Orkney. Mary Anne Baikie from Tankerness was the leader, or chair, of the group. She helped the association grow quickly. The group brought together both men and women. They discussed important political changes. They also invited leaders from bigger national groups to speak.

What the Association Did

The Orcadian Women's Suffrage Association was connected to the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies. This meant they did similar things to many other groups working for women's voting rights. They shared their message in several ways. They spoke at public meetings to explain their ideas. They handed out leaflets to spread information. They also wrote letters to local newspapers. All these actions helped promote the idea of women being able to vote.

In 1911, a special banner was made. It was created by Stanley Cursiter and Christina Jamieson. Christina was part of the Shetland Women's Suffrage Society. This banner was taken all the way to London. It was used in a large parade called the Suffrage Coronation Procession. This parade showed how many people supported women's right to vote.

Helping During World War I

In 1912, Dr Elsie Inglis visited the Orcadian Women's Suffrage Association. She spoke at one of their meetings. She was also the Honorary Secretary for the Scottish Federation of Women's Suffrage Societies.

When World War I started in 1914, Dr. Inglis helped create the Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Service. These hospitals provided medical care during the war. The women of the Orcadian Women's Suffrage Association wanted to help. They raised £30 8s 6d. This amount of money allowed them to pay for a hospital bed for six months. They decided to name this bed "Orcadian." They continued to send more donations. Soldiers who stayed in the "Orcadian" bed even sent letters to thank them.

Important Members

• Dr Mary McNeill
• Bina Cursiter
• James Cursiter

See also

In 2019, a short film about the Orcadian Women's Suffrage Association won an award. It was recognized at the Scottish Short Film Festival.

• Feminism in the United Kingdom
• List of suffragists and suffragettes
• Timeline of women's suffrage