Violet Aitken facts for kids

Violet Aitken (born January 21, 1886 – died November 1987) was a British suffragette. A suffragette was a woman who worked to get women the right to vote. Her full name was Marion Violet Aitken, and she grew up in Bedfordshire, England. Her father, William Aitken, was an important church leader called a Canon at Norwich Cathedral.

Violet became a suffragette, fighting for women's right to vote. She was also an editor for The Suffragette newspaper. Because of her activism, she was sent to prison. While in prison, she went on a hunger strike and was fed against her will. She lived to be 101 years old, passing away in 1987.

Fighting for Women's Rights

Violet Aitken joined the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU). This group was led by the Pankhurst family and worked hard for women's right to vote.

Protests and Arrests

In November 1911, Violet took part in a WSPU protest. She was arrested for holding onto a police horse's bridle. After her arrest, she was sent to Holloway prison.

In March 1912, Violet and another suffragette named Clara Giveen were arrested again. They had damaged windows at a clothing shop in London. The damage was worth about £100.

Hunger Strike and Medal

In June 1912, Violet was released from Winson Green prison. She had been moved there because other prisons were too full. She had been in prison for almost four months.

During her time in prison, Violet went on a hunger strike. This meant she refused to eat. Because of this, she was fed against her will. The WSPU honored her bravery by giving her a Hunger Strike Medal.

Violet's parents were worried about her involvement in these protests. Her father wrote in his diary that it pained him. However, he later understood that women asking for the right to vote was "only an act of justice."

Working as a Journalist

Violet Aitken worked as an editor for The Suffragette newspaper. She thought about leaving her job to become a writer. However, she changed her mind after the funeral of Emily Davison. Emily Davison was another suffragette who died after stepping onto a racetrack during a horse race.

Records and Images

Pictures of Violet Aitken are kept at the Museum of London. Her signature was part of a collection sold at an auction in 2012. Her prison records are now stored in the National Archives in the United Kingdom.

See also

In Spanish: Violet Aitken para niños