United Suffragists facts for kids

The United Suffragists was a group in the United Kingdom that worked for women's suffrage. This means they wanted women to have the right to vote.

The Fight for Women's Vote

The United Suffragists started on February 6, 1914. Many of its first members had been part of another group called the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU). But the United Suffragists were different in some important ways.

Unlike the WSPU, the United Suffragists allowed men to join. They also welcomed suffragists who did not use militant (more aggressive) tactics. This made them a more open group.

Key People in the Movement

Many important people helped start the United Suffragists. These included Louisa Garrett Anderson, Agnes Harben and Henry Devenish Harben, and George Lansbury. Other early members were Mary Neal, Emmeline Pethick Lawrence, Julia Scurr and John Scurr, and Evelyn Sharp.

Maud Arncliffe Sennett became the group's first vice-president. Ellen Smith and H. J. Gillespie, who was the treasurer, were also members.

The United Suffragists had branches in different cities. Louisa Garrett Anderson helped lead the Edinburgh branch. There was also a branch in Liverpool, supported by Patricia Woodlock. In 1915, Helen Crawfurd started a branch in Glasgow.

Other active members included Labour Party members Annie Somers and Hope Squire. Mary Phillips worked with the group from 1915 to 1916. Lilian Hicks, a former WSPU activist, became the secretary of the Hampstead branch.

Their Newspaper and Growth

The United Suffragists used a newspaper called Votes for Women. This newspaper was run by Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence. It had been connected to the WSPU before. Evelyn Sharp was the main editor of the newspaper.

The United Suffragists kept campaigning even during World War I. Many other groups stopped their work during the war. While their newspaper's sales went down, the group itself grew. More people joined them from both the WSPU and another group called the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS).

Victory and End of the Group

In 1918, women finally got the right to vote in the United Kingdom. This was a huge victory for the suffragist movement. After this, the United Suffragists held a celebration. They also joined in the NUWSS celebrations.

Once their main goal was achieved, the group decided to close down. They also stopped publishing their newspaper.

See also

In Spanish: United Suffragists para niños