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The Hackney Museum Marks Today’s Centenary of Women’s Suffrage

On February 6, 1918, The Representation of the People Act was passed.

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In 1918, the suffragettes successfully secured the right for certain British women over the age of 30 to vote. ‘Making Her Mark: 110 Years of Activism’ opens at the Hackney Museum today to acknowledge this initial step toward all women gaining equal rights to vote in 1928.

In partnership with the East End Women’s Museum, the exhibition tells the stories of women in the area who, throughout the last century, have made a difference in education, workers’ rights, healthcare, domestic violence, the peace movement, police relations and more.

The Hackney Museum Marks Today’s Centenary of Women’s Suffrage

women's day parade

Lentall Road Workshop

Hackney has a very rich history of women’s activism across a huge range of issues and we’re extremely proud to share these stories of women’s courage, creativity, and determination in the borough; from the struggle for the vote to the present day. We hope visitors will leave feeling inspired to challenge injustice and inequality and perhaps with some new ideas to draw on. – Sarah Jackson, co-founder of the East End Women’s Museum.

100 Years of Suffrage: What it Means to be a Woman in 2018.

Making Her Mark: 110 Years of Activism will run until 19, March. From a 1900s Humble Petition for women’s right to vote in parliamentary elections, to the story of an undercover journalist who disguised herself as a flower seller in order to discover the working conditions of women and children, the exhibition offers a look at the sparks that ignited an ongoing movement. Those who attend will have the chance to more fully understand how political campaigns, industrial action, peaceful protest, direct action and the arts were means by which the suffragettes affected change.

On the centenary of women over-30 getting the right to vote, we are proud to celebrate the social, political, and cultural history of women in Hackney through this fantastic exhibition. Visitors to the Hackney Museum can listen to stories and voices that are seldom heard but have or are making a significant contribution to Hackney as we know it today, which will hopefully help galvanise a new generation into community action to help shape our borough over the next 100 years. – Cllr Carole Williams, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Equalities.

Visit hackney.gov.uk for details.
Free admission. Hackney Technology and Learning Centre, 1 Reading Lane, London E8 1GQ; Open: 9.30am-5.30pm Tue, Wed, Fri; 9.30am-8pm Thur; 10am-5pm Sat; closed Sun, Mon.

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