Millicent Fawcett Quotes

A collection of quotes by Millicent Fawcett.

Millicent Fawcett (1847-1929) was a prominent British suffragist and feminist, known for her significant contributions to the women's suffrage movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born Millicent Garrett, she was raised in a liberal and politically active family that greatly influenced her views on equality and social justice.

Fawcett played a pivotal role in establishing the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) in 1897, an organization committed to peacefully campaigning for women's suffrage. As its president, she led the NUWSS with dedication and strategic insight, advocating for women's rights through petitions, lobbying, and public speeches.

Fawcett's steadfast belief in peaceful and non-violent methods set her apart from some other suffragette organizations of the time. Her approach was aimed at gaining support from both men and women, emphasizing that the fight for suffrage was a matter of equality and justice, not a battle of the sexes.

A significant achievement in Fawcett's career was the successful campaign for the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which granted partial voting rights to women over the age of 30 and extended suffrage to all men over 21 years old. Although it was not full suffrage, this marked a crucial step forward in women's political empowerment.

Millicent Fawcett's dedication to the women's suffrage movement continues to inspire generations of activists, and her legacy was honored through the creation of the Fawcett Society, a leading UK charity fighting for gender equality.