Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • Become a member
The Fawcett Society
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
Menu
  • About
    • Who we are
    • Our history
    • Our people
    • Our funders
    • Work with us
  • Campaigns
    • Coronavirus: making women visible
    • Equal Pay
    • Equal Power
    • Local and Equal
    • Smash Stereotypes
  • Take Action
    • Become a member
    • Join a local group
    • Give the gift of feminism
    • Affiliate with Fawcett
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Fundraise
    • Other ways to give
    • Partner with Fawcett
    • Shop
    • Leave a gift in your will
  • Research & Policy
    • Current projects
    • Reports & publications
    • Briefings
    • Past projects
  • News
    • News & press releases
    • Blog
    • Events
    • Event Videos
  • Equal Pay Advice Service
  • Admin
    • Log in
    • Shop
    • Donate
    • Become a member
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Remembering struggles past and present
  1. News
  2. Blog

Remembering struggles past and present

Heenali Patel

30 JUNE 2015
BY SUSAN PARES, MEMBER OF THE FAWCETT SOCIETY


July is an important month in the Fawcett calendar. It’s when Fawcett members come together to commemorate the woman who has given her name to the Society: Millicent Garrett Fawcett (pictured above).

Millicent Fawcett was part of the feminist activity that began in 1866 with the first petition to Parliament for female suffrage. From 1907 she led the non-militant wing of the campaign to give women the vote. Partial voting rights came in 1918 and the full franchise in 1928. It was a protracted struggle but happily she lived long enough to see women given the full right to vote on 2 July 1928.

For me, it’s an important date and Millicent is an important woman. There’s so much to admire in her and those early suffragists: their tenacity, their commitment, their belief in non-militant tactics. Their perseverance and readiness for hard slog are still needed today.

For many years Fawcett has commemorated Millicent at a ceremony held usually in Westminster Abbey at the memorial to Millicent and her husband Henry. In 2008, Fawcett asked the South London Fawcett Group, one of the local London branches, to arrange the event and we have done so ever since.

Somehow I found myself setting up the contacts, while other members have publicised the ceremony, ordered the wreath that is always laid or organised a meal afterwards. It’s an occasion to meet our own local group members and other Fawcett people. Personally it’s a moment to reflect on all those who laboured so hard and endured so many setbacks and opprobrium to secure women the vote and a time to enjoy the sense of solidarity with like-minded people.

The struggle to secure equality and justice for women continues.  It was, and still is, hard work.  Millicent was committed to the grind and never gave up.  It’s only right we should remember her at her memorial in Westminster Abbey. Join us there on 2 July.

The event takes place at 6pm on Thursday 2 July 2015 in St George’s Chapel, Westminster Abbey. More details


Susan Pares, member of fawcettABOUT AUTHOR

Susan Pares is a long-time member of Fawcett and active in South London Fawcett Group

Published: 30th June, 2015

Updated: 6th July, 2017

Author: Heenali Patel

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • One year on: Women reflect on the Government's response to Covid-19

    One year on: Women reflect on the Government's response to Covid-19

    New research shows that less than four in ten women in the UK believe the Government is focusing on issues that matter most to them in its response to the pandemic – this compares to 50% of men. The briefing is published jointly with UK Women's Budget Group, Engender and Close the Gap (Scotland), Women Equality Network Wales, and Northern Ireland Women’s Budget Group (NIWBG).

  • Disabled mothers three times more likely to have lost work during the pandemic

    Disabled mothers three times more likely to have lost work during the pandemic

  • Greater Manchester Mayoral Election: Women and Girls Manifesto

    Greater Manchester Mayoral Election: Women and Girls Manifesto

    Read our calls for Greater Manchester Mayoral candidates to commit to gender equality.

  • Disabled mothers three times more likely to have lost work during the pandemic

    Disabled mothers three times more likely to have lost work during the pandemic

    New research published today by leading gender equality organisations, the Fawcett Society, The UK Women’s Budget Group, Engender and Close the Gap (Scotland), Women Equality Network Wales, and Northern Ireland Women’s Budget Group (NIWBG), shows that the coronavirus pandemic is continuing to amplify disadvantages experienced by disabled parents and the Government must take decisive action to tackle this.

Related

  • We Need More Women: Urgent action needed on women’s representation

    We Need More Women: Urgent action needed on women’s representation

    Read why the Equal Power coalition are working hard to encourage more women into leadership positions and roles in public life.

  • Coronavirus Diaries: Caring for loved ones

    Coronavirus Diaries: Caring for loved ones

    Throughout 2020 we heard from women across the UK about how their lives have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak. A theme in this week’s diaries has been the toll that those caring responsibilities has had on our diarists.

  • "I wish my manager had the tools and confidence to protect me." Fawcett Society's call for evidence into workplace sexual harassment

    Fawcett society have released a call for evidence around workplace sexual harassment. Here's why employers are

  • Coronavirus diaries: Reflecting on November

    Coronavirus diaries: Reflecting on November

    Over the last eight months we have been hearing from women across the UK about how their lives have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Below are some responses from the November diary.

  • Coronavirus Diaries: The impact on mental health

    Coronavirus Diaries: The impact on mental health

    The pandemic has had a toll on mental health. We heard about the impact that it's had on our diarists.

  • Coronavirus Diaries: Feelings in October

    Coronavirus Diaries: Feelings in October

    We checked in with our diarists after a summer break to see how they have been feeling and doing. These thoughts were shared before the Government's announcement of a November lockdown.

  • An interview with Martha - a domestic abuse outreach worker

    An interview with Martha - a domestic abuse outreach worker

    To honour Black History Month, we're celebrating the work of Black women across the UK. We spoke to a domestic abuse outreach worker to find out more about her work.

  • "I had a panic attack": A mental health nurse in the time of Coronavirus

    A mental health nurse explains the impact Coronavirus has had on her own mental health and how this has affected her role.

  • Coronavirus Diaries: Tensions between friends and family

    Coronavirus Diaries: Tensions between friends and family

    As lockdown restrictions begin to ease further, we asked our diarists whether they are experiencing different attitudes towards risk within their family or friendship groups.

  • Lockdown's impact on Black, Asian and ethnic minority women in Leicester

    Lockdown's impact on Black, Asian and ethnic minority women in Leicester

    Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan is the founder and CEO of the Zinthiya Trust a charity which supports disadvantaged women and their families in Leicester. In this blog she tells us how she feels the disproportionate impact of lockdown on Black, Asian and ethnic minority women in Leicester is being ignored.

Most read

  • Who we are

    Who we are

    The Fawcett Society is the UK’s leading membership charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights. If you believe in a society where no one is prevented from reaching their full potential because of their gender, join us today.

  • Work with us

    Work with us

    We are a dynamic, friendly team in a supportive and caring working environment. We particularly welcome applications from BAME, LGBT, disabled and older applicants.https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/manager/news.aspx

  • Join our movement for women's rights

    Join our movement for women's rights

    We campaign for gender equality. At home, at work, and in public life. Join us — become a Fawcett member today!

  • Close the gender pay gap

    Close the gender pay gap

    Did you know it will take 100 years to close the gender pay gap at current rates? We cannot afford to keep going backwards.

  • Equal Pay

    Equal Pay

    The Equal Pay Act in the UK is not fit for purpose. We're calling to end pay secrecy with a legal 'Right to Know'. The time for change is now.

  • Sex Discrimination Law Review

    Sex Discrimination Law Review

    How do we make equality law in the UK fit for the 21st century? Create a fairer and more equal society by supporting our Law Review.

  • Our history

    Our history

    Millicent Fawcett began campaigning for women’s equality in 1866, and was instrumental in achieving first votes for women in 1918. At The Fawcett Society, we’ve continued her legacy of fighting sexism through impactful research and hard-hitting campaigns for over 150 years.

  • THE GENDER PAY GAP SERIES

    THE GENDER PAY GAP SERIES

    We are hosting a series of Gender Pay Gap reporting events to help businesses drive positive change. Watch video clips and download speaker slides from each event here.

  • Find a local group

    Find a local group

    We’re delighted to have a growing number of active and effective local women’s rights meet ups, who work in the local community to enforce change and campaign on our behalf. Their work is invaluable to Fawcett.

  • Our staff

    The Fawcett team is based in Vauxhall, south London, and is supported by a team of volunteers and temporary staff. Read more about us and how you can get in touch here.

Tag cloud

attitudes benefits CARE Equal Pay Act equal power equal representation gender pay gap money Parliament Power sex equality law sexism Women and politics women in Parliament women in workplace workplace inequality

Latest tweet

Sign up for our newsletter

Hear more about our latest activities, including fundraising, upcoming events and how to get involved with our campaigns. Read more about how we use your data here.



If you are looking for help or support on a particular issue, including pregnancy discrimination, FGM or domestic violence, please click below.

Help for individuals

Contact us

Registered address: Studio 222 , China Works, 100 Black Prince Road, London, SE1 7SJ

Sitemap
Terms & conditions
Privacy policy
Exercise your data rights


© Copyright The Fawcett Society 2020. Registered charity no.1108769. Limited company registered in England and Wales no. 04600514

We wouldn't be able to do it without you

We've come so far in a century of campaigning for gender equality, but our work isn't over yet.

Without our members we simply wouldn’t have the funds or the voice to make real change and progress on key issues such as sex discrimination, the gender pay gap and women’s representation in public and political life.

Join today

Inspire others: Volunteer with Future Fawcett

2018 marks 100 years since women first secured the right to vote, and we're marking it by launching Future Fawcett, an education outreach programme to inspire young people through our suffrage history, and teach them about women's rights today.

We need volunteers to make it happen. Are you ready to inspire the next generation of feminists?

Volunteer today
Woman holding box with cakes, reading

Fundraise with Fawcett

We don't want to see the clocks go back on women's rights. We need your help to stop that from happening.

From holding a gender pay gap bake sale to running a marathon, there are so many ways you can raise vital funds for us. Every penny will go towards making Britain a fairer society.

Fundraise today

Don't let the clock turn back on women's rights. Donate today.

We've been fighting for over 150 years to win hard-earned rights for women living in Britain. With Brexit on the horizon, it's more important than ever that we stand together to defend them. Will you stand with us, and help end gender inequality for good?

Donate now