Suffrage in Britain: Women of colour and the right to vote

The history of the women’s suffrage movement is often depicted as a struggle predominantly led and fought by white women. However, this narrow perspective overlooks the significant contributions and involvement of women of colour from diverse backgrounds. This article aims to shed light on the often-overlooked stories of black, Asian, and other minority ethnic women who played crucial roles in the fight for women’s right to vote, both in the United Kingdom and around the world.

The early days of women’s suffrage

The 1866 Petition

The first petition calling for women to be given the vote on the same terms as men dates back to 1866. This petition was signed by 1,499 women from various walks of life. Among those names, Sarah Parker Remond, an African-American lecturer on anti-slavery and women’s rights, stands out as the only known black or Asian woman to sign the petition. Remond had moved to London to garner support for the abolition of slavery in the United States. Although the 1866 petition was unsuccessful, it sparked decades of organised campaigning by women demanding the right to vote.

The lack of representation

Despite the presence of black and Asian people in the UK throughout history, they made up a very small percentage of the population until after World War Two. During the suffrage movement, the majority of this community consisted of men, with Chinese, West Indian, and African seamen settling in London and other port cities. Female family members often did not accompany them. This demographic imbalance may have contributed to the underrepresentation of black and minority ethnic women in the suffrage movement.

The hidden figures

The challenges of identifying ethnic origins

One reason why the involvement of women of colour in the suffrage movement has been obscured is the difficulty in determining an individual’s ethnic origin from historical records. Census records documented a person’s place of birth, but this was not a reliable indicator of ethnicity as many white British men and women were born in Africa, India, or the West Indies.

Furthermore, the surnames of migrants from regions like the Caribbean often made them indistinguishable from white British individuals due to the slavery and colonisation of these islands. As a result, it is challenging to find suffrage campaigners with names that are clearly African, Chinese, or otherwise indicative of a non-European background.

Indian women in the suffrage movement

The involvement of Indian women in the suffrage movement is more visible than that of other minority groups. Prominent figures such as Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, the daughter of the last Maharaja of the Sikh empire and god-daughter to Queen Victoria, played significant roles in the fight for women’s right to vote. As an active member of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), led by Emmeline Pankhurst, Princess Sophia participated in protests, spoke at meetings, and engaged in tax resistance.

Another Indian suffragette, Sushama Sen, wrote about her participation in a WSPU demonstration in 1910 in her book Memoirs of an Octogenarian. She noted that there were few Indian women in London at the time and that her presence in the march attracted public attention.

The 1911 coronation procession

On June 17, 1911, suffrage societies organised a procession to mark the coronation of King George V and demand votes for women. The event featured an empire pageant with women representing various parts of the British Empire, including India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the West Indies. The Indian contingent, led by women such as Mrs P. L. Roy, Mrs Bhagwati Bhola Nauth, and Mrs Mukerjea, showcased the breadth of the empire and the support for women’s suffrage.

Sophia Duleep Singh: A prominent suffragette

Sophia Duleep Singh, who was born in Norfolk and lived in a grace-and-favour residence at Hampton Court, was a key figure in the suffrage movement. She was part of the first suffragette delegation to the House of Commons in 1910, known as “Black Friday,” and was a prominent member of the Women’s Tax Resistance League. In protest against the lack of women’s suffrage, she refused to pay taxes and sign the census.

The global struggle for women’s rights

The fight for women’s right to vote was not limited to the United Kingdom or to white women. It was a global issue, with women of colour actively campaigning for suffrage in other countries. Even within Britain, the movement included men and women from diverse social, political, and religious backgrounds.

The 1918 Representation of the People Act

When British women over the age of 30 were granted the right to vote in the 1918 Representation of the People Act, the law enfranchised “British subjects,” which technically included any subjects of the British Empire living in Britain who met the required residency qualifications and were registered. The law did not discriminate based on race, allowing women of colour who met the criteria to exercise their right to vote.

The complexity of racial attitudes

While the British suffragettes did not campaign exclusively for white women, their attitudes towards the emancipation of different races were complex. Indian women living in London, such as Sushama Sen, were invited to attend suffrage demonstrations. However, these women were often used to represent the size of the empire rather than to reflect the diversity of the British population.

The legacy of women of colour in the suffrage movement

The stories of women of colour in the suffrage movement have often been overlooked, but they remain an essential part of the history of women’s rights. As we continue to commemorate the centenary of women’s suffrage, it is vital to recognise and celebrate the contributions of black, Asian, and minority ethnic women who fought for their right to vote.

Conclusion

The suffrage movement was a complex global struggle involving women and men from diverse backgrounds. Women of colour played significant roles in the fight for women’s right to vote despite their challenges and the historical erasure of their contributions. By acknowledging and celebrating these hidden figures, we can gain a fuller understanding of the rich history of the suffrage movement and the ongoing fight for women’s rights around the world.