Source 23:  'The Citizenship of Women: A Plea for Woman's Suffrage', by Keir Hardie MP

 

Description

James Keir Hardie (1856 - 1915) was an active supporter of the women's suffrage movement, and worked closely with Sylvia Pankhurst and other members of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU). Keir Hardie became the first socialist MP in Britain, and was among the group that formed the Independent Labour Party in 1893. He was elected as the first leader of the Labour Party.

'The Citizenship of Women: A Plea for Woman's Suffrage' was first published in 1905 by W S Stead.

[NLS Shelfmark: Acc. 3721/148 (2)]

Transcript

The 'half angel, half idiot' period is over in the woman's world. She is fighting her way into every sphere of human activity. Her labour is coming into competition with that of man in nearly every department of industry. In the learned professions she is forcing herself to the front by sheer determination and force of intellect in a way that will not be denied. Sooner or later men will be compelled to treat with her and recognize her as a co-worker, and they could not begin better than by admitting her right to be a co-voter. Those who prate so glibly of adult suffrage might surely learn something of men's opinion of women by taking note of the way in which lawyers and doctors are resisting her encroachments upon their preserves. A woman may be Queen of England, but she may not enter the profession from which Lord Chancellors are drawn.