The 1911 census, released in 2009, is of particular interest to historians. Additional columns recorded for the first time the number of years a woman had been married, her children still living and those who had died. Moreover, the census was taken at a time of heightened political momentum. The Liberal government pushed for ambitious welfare reforms; at the same time, the Votes for Women campaign was growing vigorously. Suffrage organizations decided to boycott the census in protest at women’s exclusion from the franchise.

This week is the 100th anniversary of The Representation of the People Act of 1918 – making it legal for some women to vote in national elections for the first time. There is no doubt that for every woman – and man – in the UK, this is something to celebrate. But as with all great moments in history it is embedded in a complicated tissue of politics, propaganda and personal stories.

Women played a vital role in the campaign to abolish slavery, although they themselves lacked even the right to vote. Their campaign techniques were employed to great effect in the struggle for suffrage.

Useful guide to suffrage glossary of terms.

Biographical sketch of Madge Turner, a campaigner for women's suffrage, is based on a talk, 'West Sussex Women A Centenary of Suffrage', given by the author at West Sussex Record Office on 27th November 2018.

The book provides biographies and interviews for fifty women and lists another fifty who are featured on our website. The articles are based on nominations by the Vote 100 Lewes group during 2018 to 2020.