When we think of the suffragette movement, we often picture marches, protests, and prison hunger strikes. But behind the headlines was a hidden world of secret operations, coded messages, and daring escapes. The suffragettes were not just campaigners — they were masters of subterfuge. Their underground tactics rival any spy novel, complete with disguises, safe… Read More suffragette subterfuge: disguises, decoys & daring espcapes
This image was found on the Past Tense blog’s “suffragettes” page, The original image source is unknown. It offers a rich archive of posts exploring radical moments in women’s suffrage history — especially the militant actions of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU). Notable Entry: “Today in London Smashing History, 1912 Other Entries: It’s… Read More when glass became a weapon: the window-smashing campaign of 1912
In a world where protest is often imagined through fire and fury, the suffragettes remind us that resistance can also be stitched by hand, draped across shoulders, and quietly embroidered into banners. Far from being soft or decorative, these textiles of the suffragette movement—sashes, handkerchiefs, banners, and badges—were radical tools of visual and material dissent.… Read More threads of defiance: the protest textiles of the suffragette movement
This article is based on a post written by the collections researcher at The Museum of English Rural Life Nicola Minney who has explored an unexpected historical ally in the suffrage movement: thesewing machine. Lately, I’ve developed a deep interest in the sewing machine, a device I’ve been using personally, and one that has become… Read More The Role of the Sewing Machine in Women’s Suffrage
Rachel Bakewell 