Today is the 90th anniversary of women in the UK being enfranchised for the first time (well, not exactly, technically, but to all intents and purposes). At the time it was only women over 30 whilst men had the vote at 21.
The discrepancy seems preposterous to us now and was totally unjustified then. But as a gradualist I am often persuaded to accept a partial reform, because history shows that once the fundamental concept becomes the norm and widely accepted, the discrepancies increasingly become seen as irrational. It still amazes me, even though I should know better, how many irrational laws were made by men citing women as irrational and weaker.
I suggest that in ten years time someone organises a big party to celebrate the centenary. It will make it easier for me when people ask me how I will be celebrating my fiftieth birthday - marching on Parliament to commemorate the centenary of Women's Suffrage.
I expect if I mention to this to my mother she will just say "I don't remember there being much fuss about the fiftieth anniversary".
To mark this auspicious day, I give you a link to The March of the Women. We made a recording of this at school for some Open Day exhibition. It was written by Ethel Smyth.
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