Political Women: Fifteen Campaigns that Changed Twenty-First-Century Britain

Women's political campaigns have significantly impacted their lives in the 20th century, seeking equal pay, analgesics, and an end to virginity testing. This book focuses on 15 such campaigns and the thousands of women who sought to influence decision-making and challenge power. Women organized self-help childcare, rape crisis centers, and peace camps, taking on exploitative landlords, immigration officers, international companies, local councils, the media, and successive governments. Despite limited access to traditional areas of political power, women used all resources and imagination to fight for change, employing deeds, words, petitions, protests, legal, and illegal devices, peaceful and violent strategies. Their motivations and contributions were varied, making sacrifices to be involved in political battles.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 27 February 2024
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The lives of women underwent a profound transformation during the twentieth century, driven by a multitude of political campaigns at various levels. These campaigns were not limited to technological and economic advancements but also encompassed a wide range of issues, including equal pay, analgesics for women and childbirth, and the end of virginity testing at airports. While the Edwardian suffrage campaigns are the most well-known examples, it is important to recognize that women engaged in political struggles with equal determination, sacrifice, and ingenuity. These campaigns spanned local, national, and international dimensions, seeking to influence decision-making, exercise power, and challenge established hierarchies.

Despite facing limited financial resources and heavy domestic responsibilities, women carefully selected their political battles. Some fought for workers' rights, education, and the prevention of male violence. Others, such as Radcliffe Hall, advocated for women's autonomy in defining their sexuality. Women organized self-help childcare, rape crisis centers, and peace camps. They set up birth control clinics and women's refuges. Ordinary women took on exploitative landlords, immigration officers, international companies, local councils, the media, and successive governments. While a few of these political women, such as Maggie Wintringham and Nancy Astor, became Members of Parliament (MPs), many others became local councillors.

However, women's access to traditional areas of political power was limited. The patriarchal structures and societal norms that perpetuated gender inequality hindered their advancement. Despite these challenges, women's political activism played a crucial role in shaping the twentieth century. Their tireless efforts, sacrifices, and innovative strategies paved the way for greater gender equality and social progress.

In conclusion, the lives of women changed immeasurably during the twentieth century, driven by a multitude of political campaigns that sought to address a wide range of issues. These campaigns were not limited to the well-known suffrage movements but encompassed a diverse array of issues that impacted women's lives. Women's political activism, despite facing obstacles, played a vital role in shaping the world we live in today. It is essential to continue to recognize and honor the contributions of women in politics and to work towards a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Weight: 446g
Dimension: 165 x 242 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399012348