Dame Caroline Spelman MP and the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Flo Nash joined with representatives of charities and members of Soroptimist International at Solihull Library to enjoy afternoon tea and to share, debate and celebrate the centenary anniversary of legislation leading to women being given the vote and to discuss equality today.
A display of memorabilia and information told the story of the suffragette campaign and how hard fought was the demand for women’s vote. The group heard about a local suffragette, Lettice Floyd from Berkswell, who was a leading figure nationally who suffered imprisonment and force feeding for her role in the fight for a voice in democracy.
Equalitea is a national initiative organised by UK Parliament to stimulate debate and encourage greater involvement and is part of a much wider celebration of the centenary anniversary of women being given the vote. The group considered current day issues of equality where race, disability, sexual orientation, faith, age and poverty are seen as factors which give rise to inequality.
This was the first in a series of events in coming months
- To celebrate the centenary of the votes for women
- share what equality means to us
- discuss particular issues where change is needed and what we can do in Solihull to influence change
- Encourage individuals to become involved – be it to vote, campaign or to consider themselves standing for office.
Watch out for suffragettes in shopping centres, libraries, colleges, community centres in the near future raising awareness of the centenary and its importance for democracy and to identify barriers to people using their vote.