By Resham Kotecha
In 2017 The UK had its second female prime minister, Scotland and Northern Ireland both have female first ministers, and in the last year, women have led the Green Party, Plaid Cymru, Scottish Labour and Scottish Conservatives.
Over the last 100 years, there has been a long list of firsts for women in politics, from Constance de Markievicz, the first woman being elected in 1918 (but not taking her seat), to Margaret Thatcher becoming the first female Prime Minister, and Theresa May becoming the second. However, it was only in 2015 that the total number of women ever elected to Parliament surpassed the number of male MPs in a single Parliament.
As we celebrate 100 years since women gained the right to vote, it’s important to remember the incredible women who broke, and are still breaking, glass ceilings.
Lady Nancy Astor
(19 May 1879 – 2 May 1964)
In 1918, some women won the right to vote and to stand for Parliament. In 1919, Nancy Astor was elected as the Conservative MP for Plymouth Sutton and became the first female MP to take her seat in the House of Commons shattering the centuries of history of an all-male House. Nancy was an MP from 1919 to 1945 and paved the ground for the hundreds of women who have followed in her footsteps to take their place in the House of Commons.
Emmeline Pankhurst
(15 July 1858 – 14 June 1928)
Image: Matzene, Chicago Restored by Adam Cuerden
In 1903, Emmeline Pankhurst founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) where members are remembered for their controversial tactics, including hunger strikes, to fight for women’s right to vote in the UK. The WSP’s motto, “Deeds, not words” has been immortalised, and is used to inspire feminist campaigns to this day. Pankhurst was a crucial figure in helping women to achieve the vote and whilst her fight led to her being imprisoned 13 times, she, and the cause she fought for, became world-famous.
Emily Wilding Davison
(11 October 1872 – 8 June 1913)
Emily Wilding Davison is another suffragette who gained infamy for her campaign for women’s rights. Emily broke into Parliament three times, most famously hiding in a cupboard the night before the 1911 census so that she could list her address as The House of Commons. Emily died after being hit by King George V's horse Anmer at the 1913 Derby when she walked onto the track during the race. Historians think she was on the track to try and tie a suffragette flag on the horse’s neck. A procession of 5,000 suffragettes and their supporters accompanied her coffin and 50,000 people lined the route through London on the day of her funeral. A flag from the day of the Derby now hangs in Parliament, and a plaque marks the cupboard in which Emily hid overnight.
The Baroness Thatcher
13 October 1925 – 8 April 2013
Image: Chris Collins / Margaret Thatcher Foundation
Margaret Thatcher became the first female leader of a major political party in the UK, and the first female British Prime Minister – winning the 1979 election as leader of the Conservative party, 61 years after women first won the right to vote. Thatcher spent 11 years in office, winning three successive General Elections, making her the longest-serving British Prime Minister of the 20th century. Thatcher was not only the first female Head of Government in the UK, but also in Europe. In 1979, when she became Prime Minister.
Barbara Castle
6 October 1910 – 3 May 2002
Image: National Archives of Malawi - National Archives of Malawi
Barbara Castle was elected to Parliament in 1945 as the Labour MP for Blackburn. Castle held several Ministerial positions and in April 1968, became the first female Secretary of State, serving as the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity. This marked a real step forward for women in Parliament and also showed the public that women were perfectly capable of managing traditionally ‘male’ briefs. Castle fought tirelessly for women’s rights to equal pay and introduced The Equal Pay Act in 1970, leading the fight against pay discrimination on the grounds of gender.
Diane Abbott MP
Born 27 September 1953
Image: Chris McAndrew
In June 1987, Diane Abbott became the first black woman to be elected to the House of Commons, as the Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke. Diane has held several briefs in opposition, including serving as the shadow Secretary of State for Health, and more recently, for the Home Office.
Ruth Davidson MSP
Born 10 November 1978
Ruth Davidson sits as the Conservative Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh Central. Ruth became leader of the Scottish Conservative party in 2011 and is the first ‘out’ female leader of a political party to openly speak about her female partner and her fight for LGBTQ rights. Ruth has spoken about her struggles with her sexuality and her desire to encourage others to stand for Parliament.
Theresa May
Born 1 October 1956
Image - By Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office - GOV.UK, OGL 3
Britain’s second female Prime Minister, May was elected as Conservative Party Leader unopposed by party members. In 2005, she co-founded Women2Win a group focused on getting more women in Parliament. She resigned in 2019 as Prime Minister but remains an MP at the House of Commons.