Discover more about Stroud woman’s fight for equal voting rights at big celebration
Published: Tuesday, 19 June, 2018
The story of a remarkable woman who played a key role in securing equal voting rights for women will be told at a big celebration for National Democracy Week.
Stroud District Council is staging a National Democracy Week Garden Party on Sunday, July 1 to mark 90 years since the Equal Franchise Right 1928.
Margaret Hills was a significant organiser and speaker in the national suffrage movement for 20 years, and later became Stroud Urban District Council’s first female councillor.
A talk on her life is just one of the many activities lined up by SDC’s Elections Department to celebrate the 90th anniversary of equal voting rights for women and men.
The event is family-friendly and for all ages, with actors, debates, workshops, a mock election, guest speakers and of course voter registration. There will be home made cakes on sale, as well as ‘Equali-teas’ served too.
“The fight for equal voting rights for women was long and hard-fought, and it is vitally important that we do not forget the efforts of those who campaigned for decades,” said SDC leader Doina Cornell.
“I am proud that our Elections Team has pulled out all the stops to organise what promises to be a big celebration of the 90th anniversary of this historic moment.”
The event takes place at Stratford Park and the Museum in the Park, Stroud from 11am to 4pm, and all are welcome.
Event timetable:
11.00 – 11.15 Event opens with a brief history performance from local actors and why we should celebrate democracy
11.30 – 11.45 Talk in the Galleries – Women and Democracy by Cllr Skeena Rathor
Noon – 12.15 Talk in the Galleries – Make Votes Matter
12.30 – 12.45 Talk in the Galleries – Younger People and Democracy by Cllr Tom Skinner
13.30 – 13.45 Talk in the Galleries – Margaret Hills Life and Legacy by Cllr Chas Townley
14.00 – 14.15 Talk in the Galleries – What does it mean to be a District Councillor by Cllr George Butcher
14.30 – 14.45 Talk in the Galleries – My Time on Stroud District Youth Council by Youth Council Member
15.30 – 15.45 Talk in the Galleries – Let’s Celebrate Democracy by David Drew MP
16.00 Event closes with a procession through Stratford Park using banners, sashes and rosettes created in the workshops throughout the day.