On February 6th 1918, The Representation of the People Act gave the vote to women over the age of 30 who met a property qualification. On the 14th December 1918, 8.5 million women voted for the first time in a General Election. To celebrate this historic event we've made a short film on two remarkable suffragettes, Flora Murray and Louisa Garrett Anderson. Check out their incredible story below then dig deeper into our resources on suffragettes, women's history and feminism.
Endell Street: A Suffragette Story
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The history of female protest and suffrage in the UK
Learn more to access more details of The history of female protest and suffrage in the UKThis free course focuses on one example of democratic protest: the campaign to extend the vote to women in the UK. In the course you'll be introduced to two key figures in the campaign, Ada Nield Chew and May Billinghurst, and you'll look at the ways in which the Women's Social and Political Union, the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies and the First World War shaped and affected the battle for the vote.
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‘Literary Caregiving’: The War Library and Endell Street Military Hospital Library
Read now to access more details of ‘Literary Caregiving’: The War Library and Endell Street Military Hospital LibraryHow did women (including suffragettes) help wounded soldiers in the First World War? Dr Sara Haslam explores this question, drawing on her research into the War Library and the library at Endell Street Military Hospital.
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Protest Banners: Women's Suffrage
Watch now to access more details of Protest Banners: Women's SuffrageDr Sara Haslam looks deeper into a beautifully decorative suffrage banner naming Caroline Herschel.
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Sylvia Pankhurst: The Expert View
Read now to access more details of Sylvia Pankhurst: The Expert ViewProfessor Mary Davis explores the life and achievements of Sylvia Pankhurst.
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How women changed the world
Take part now to access more details of How women changed the worldWho wrote the first novel over 1000 years ago? Who disguised herself as a man to explore the new world? Take this interactive world tour to discover the stories the history books left out.
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Did Donald Trump ride a tide of anti-feminism to the White House?
Watch now to access more details of Did Donald Trump ride a tide of anti-feminism to the White House?Jo Gill believes a history of American anti-feminist sentiment can explain how Hillary Clinton was defeated in the US Presidential election.
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Women Writers: Voices in Transition
Watch now to access more details of Women Writers: Voices in TransitionIn the last century which women writers have truly challenged the existing forms of literature? How did they make their voices heard using brand new techniques and styles? For centuries there have been women writers who have changed the face of literature, but we tend to talk of their lives and work in very certain terms. This series of video-slideshows reveals how writing and reputation are often forged in transition, uncertainty and change. In these 4 films we re-examine the lives, work and influence of: Virginia Woolf, Jean Rhys, Katherine Mansfield and Jeanette Winterson. This material forms part of the Open University course A300 20th century literature: texts and debates.
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Women in Science
Listen now to access more details of Women in ScienceHow have individual female scientists contributed to the advancement of science through time? To celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day (March 8th) and to mark International Year of Chemistry 2011, The Open University asked some of the female scientists currently working in its Faculty of Science, to nominate their personal choice of outstanding woman of science. The female scientists nominated include several Nobel Prize Laureates, such as Marie Curie, Dorothy Hodgkin and American geneticist, Barbara McClintock. The academics also talk about their own experiences of being a woman in the sciences today.
Take it further with The Open University
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BA (Honours) English Literature and Creative Writing
Learn more to access more details of BA (Honours) English Literature and Creative WritingThis degree course offers a stimulating and wide-ranging introduction to English literature and creative writing. You’ll have the opportunity to study and interpret literature from different historical periods and diverse cultural settings – including translations – and to develop your writing skills in several genres including fiction; poetry; life writing; and scriptwriting for film, radio and stage. Key features of the course: Learn how to analyse a wide range of texts including fiction, poetry and drama. Develop and reflect on your own writing practice At Stage 3 have the opportunity to develop a project based on independent study Learn the skills of complex argument and critical commentary, which are highly valued in the workplace
