1. EDUCATION PACK

2. Background
By 1908 women had already been campaigning to be able to vote for forty-two years.
In that time, campaign meetings moved from private homes to public spaces.  
In 1908 Mrs Fawcett’s ‘constitutional’ National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) and Mrs Pankhurst’s ‘militant’ Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) – staged spectacular processions promoting ‘Votes for Women’.

3. Banner Design Early banners were usually home made with
‘Votes for Women’ lettered on white sheeting.
Banner creation became more detailed and artist Mary Lowndes designed many for the 13 June 1908 NUWSS procession.
Main categories of design:
- Geographical
- Occupation and Societies
- Consciousness Raising
- Famous Women

4. Examples of Geographical Banners

5. Occupation and Societies

6. Consciousness Raising

7. Famous Women

8. Making the Banners
Banners were embroidered, appliqued, stencilled, and painted and made by the campaigners themselves.
Workshops held before processions to make banners in large quantities and skilled women taught others various craft methods.
Mary Lowndes produced a pamphlet on how to create a well designed banner.

9. Description of the Banners
‘They have recreated the beauty of blown silk and tossing embroidery. The procession was like a medieval festival, vivid with simple grandeur, alive with an ancient dignity.’
The Morning Leader, 14 June 1908.

10. Carrying the Banners to Victory
It was seen to be an honour to carry a banner in a procession.
Banners were put on display around the UK to inspire other women to join the cause.
Banners decorated ‘Victory’ meetings in March 1918, celebrating the winning of ‘votes for women’.

11. Links for History of Suffrage & Banners
Suffragettes – Stories from Parliament Part 1
Suffragettes – Stories from Parliament Part 2
The Suffragettes – BBC
100 Years of the Women’s Movement – BBC Teach
Suffrage Banners – Women’s Library Collection

12. Suffragettes in Ealing
Local Links
Suffragettes in Ealing
Artist/Photographer/Maker: F. Kehrhahn and Co, 1905 AD AD; © Museum of London