Scotland's suffragette movement remembered and celebrated

Around three thousand women, men and children gathered from across Scotland to take part in a tribute to the thousands of women who, 100 years earlier, marched in a struggle for the vote and the rights of women.

On Saturday 10 October, years of planning by the Gude Cause organisation culminated in a re-enactment of the Suffrage procession that weaved through the capital the same day in 1909.

Formed on the back of a last minute march to encourage women to vote in the run up to the last Scottish election, Gude Cause has since been sustained through a network of volunteers.

“We were concerned women weren't going to vote,” said Joan Bree, media relations for Gude Cause, explaining the initial march in 2007. “Someone said, 'we should do something bigger in 2009' and, well...”

Fortnightly planning meetings ensued with financial support from the council, trade unions and women's organisations. There was a heavy political presence at the procession, with groups from both major and fringe parties.

Groups from across the country mobilised in Edinburgh to commemorate the anniversary and Ms Bree hoped the day would motivate them when it came to their own projects.

“There's a coming together for something like this that gives people a boost. Hopefully people will go back to their organisations revitalised and re-energised.”

The name Gude Cause originates from a Scottish proverb adopted by early 20th century Scottish suffragates. “A gude cause maks a strong arm,” was the motto of the 1909 march, and the same same banner was kept for the 2009 march.

Again in keeping with the original suffragette themes, Green, White and Violet were the colours of the day; chosen at the time not simply for their striking visual appeal, but allegedly because they cryptically translated as Give-Women-Votes.

Orchestrated by a cohort of women demanding their right to vote, the original procession was the biggest feminist movement that the country had ever seen.

Led by a female piper, Saturday's procession started at Bruntsfield Links and made its way through the Meadows before passing the City Chambers and finishing at Carlton Hill. Due to construction work in the centre of town it could only re-trace a few hundreds yards of the original walk.

The march was described by a local politician as a “colourful history lesson and a welcome reminder of how much women have achieved in the past 100 years”.

Shirley Ann Sommerville, Lothians MSP, said: “I hope today’s procession not only reminds us of our history and celebrates the inspiring characters of the past, but encourages more women to get involved in politics. Women have a crucial role to play in helping create the fairer society that we all wish to see.”

One of the many leaders of the 1909 march was Chrystal MacMillan, a fervent campaigner of women’s rights often in the face of resistance. MacMillan, along with a fellow activist, led a three day lobby at the House of Lords demanding women be given equal voting rights. The protest attracted a lot of attention but was ultimately unsuccessful, with women eventually given voting rights in 1928.

MacMillan's fervent campaigning inspired around 30 students, staff, alumni, lecturers, professors from the School of Social and Political Science at UoE to take part in the parade with a specially designed banner.

Participation was helped by the recent campaign to have the departments new building on George Square named after the early 20th century feminist. It is now the only university building to be named after a women.

Fiona McQueen, a 1st year PhD student in sociology, helped organise the school's involvement: sending emails, coordinating people and securing the gowns that the league of women were wearing on the day.

Asked why she devoted her time to the procession Ms McQueen said: “I think it's important, I'm not very political but I'm very, particularly proud of the Scottish suffragettes.

“I think it's good to support women who recognise the feminist agenda,” she continued, “feminism is believing in equality and acknowledging that equality is deeper than just giving women the vote."

The group attracted the support of Sybil Wilson, a graduate of the department 40 years ago, who recently retired back to the capital after a hiatus in London.

Now a volunteer for the Liberal Democrats office in Edinburgh South, she said she had got involved as she saw political participation waning amongst women. “It's only 80 years since women were allowed to vote. We must keep voting.”

More stern sentiments were forthcoming from Ruby Norman a volunteer at the Tollcross Community Centre. Ms Norman, 74, plays a role in the Adult Learning Provision's Women's History Group once a week.

"It's ridiculous  we only got the vote 80 years ago, even Russia had the vote before us. It's ridiculous that some women don't even vote."

Whilst holding one end of a banner presenting the faces of a selection of leading suffragettes from Scottish history, under the title “Damned Rebel Bitches”, she continued: “All the women that don't vote should be ashamed of themselves," now struggling with her banner in the wind, "we had to fight hard for the vote."

The Museum of Edinburgh is currently showcasing an exhibition on the 60 year suffragette movement in Scotland, it ends in early January 2010.