Oak trees, Suffragettes, and not taking political equality for granted.

Oak leaf At University of Glasgow Library and parked my car near Kelvingrove Park.

Frustrated and couldn't find what I wanted.

Sauntered back to the car which had collected some large fading oak leaves from the big tree under which I'd parked it.

Noticed a wee plaque at the base of the tree and went over to read it.

Planted on 20 April 1918 by the Women Suffragette Movements in honour of their being granted the vote.

Not sure why but I decided one of those oak leaves, from this 100 year old oak tree, should find its way into one of my books for a while.

100 years is a long time, even for a tree. It is though, a magnificent tree.

But it's astonishingly recent in the history of discriminationjust 100 years ago women were largely excluded from political decision-making. 

The photo below is of women protesting outside Duke Street prison in Glasgow. The City had a Women's Socialist and Political Union (WSPU), just one of the organisations far too easily forgotten, but made up of women of courage, conviction and passionate commitment to social justice and political equality. My oak leaf honours them!

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Comments

4 responses to “Oak trees, Suffragettes, and not taking political equality for granted.”

  1. Ruth Gouldbourne avatar
    Ruth Gouldbourne

    Thank you. When I get fed up, cross and apathetic, thinking it’s not worth getting involved or even voting – I remember people went to prison, endured degradation ande even died to let me vote. And it wasn’t that long ago. Usually gets me going again….

  2. Ruth Gouldbourne avatar
    Ruth Gouldbourne

    Thank you. When I get fed up, cross and apathetic, thinking it’s not worth getting involved or even voting – I remember people went to prison, endured degradation ande even died to let me vote. And it wasn’t that long ago. Usually gets me going again….

  3. Catriona avatar
    Catriona

    One of the main things my Dad taught me was the importance of voting – even if only to ‘spoil’ a ballot paper. ‘People died to get you this right’ was he constant reminder. He may not approve of how I vote, but at least he be glad that I, and all my siblings, do.

  4. Catriona avatar
    Catriona

    One of the main things my Dad taught me was the importance of voting – even if only to ‘spoil’ a ballot paper. ‘People died to get you this right’ was he constant reminder. He may not approve of how I vote, but at least he be glad that I, and all my siblings, do.

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