The Women's Victory—and After: Personal Reminiscences, 1911-1918 — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Women's Victory—and After: Personal Reminiscences, 1911-1918
John Stuart Mill · en
It would be easy to give other examples, and I am tempted to add
an appendix to this chapter, giving a list of Acts of Parliament
specially dealing with the welfare and status of women passed year
by year between 1902 and 1919. There are many more entries in the
shorter period than in the longer. This in itself indicates some of the
difference which women's suffrage has made.
As soon as might be after the Royal Assent had been given to the
Reform Bill in February, 1918, the various suffrage societies held
their several council meetings to discuss their future action. Some
societies dissolved and formed themselves into women citizens'
associations. But many resolved to go on working for objects closely
allied with their original purpose. The N.U.W.S.S., meeting in council
in March, 1918, by a practically unanimous vote resolved to extend
its "objects," including in the new programme what had formerly been
its sole object—"to obtain the parliamentary franchise for women on
the same terms as it is or may be granted to men"; but adding to this
two more objects—namely, "to obtain all other such reforms, economic,
legislative, and social, as are necessary to secure a real equality
of liberties, status, and opportunities between men and women"; and
"to assist women to realize their responsibility as voters." The last
of these was an indication of the sympathy of the N.U.W.S.S. with
the women citizens' associations which were quickly springing into
existence.
We should have acted more logically if at the same time that we
enlarged our objects we had also adopted a corresponding change in our
name. However, on this matter being put to the vote, the old name was
retained by a large majority. Many of our members regarded our name as
soldiers regard their flag or regimental badge, and were, from motives
of sentiment, averse to giving it up.
However, a year's experience proved that it would be really useful and
tend to prevent misunderstandings if we changed our name in accordance
with the extension of our objects. Therefore, by formal vote of the
council in 1919, as stated on p. 155, the N.U.W.S.S. ceased to bear
its old name and became the National Union of Societies for Equal
Citizenship. We hope that the letters N.U.S.E.C. will soon become as
well known and be as much beloved by its members as the N.U.W.S.S.