Famous Women Pageant, Women's Coronation Procession

The 'Famous Women' Pageant of the Women's Coronation Procession, 17 June 1911. The Women's Coronation procession was organised by The Women's Social and Political Union. Held a week before the coronation of George V, it was intended to enlist the support of the new King in getting the Conciliation Bill of 1911 through Parliament. For the 'Famous Women' Pageant, Suffragettes dressed as notable women from the past, including the soprano Jenny Lind (182--1887), Grace Darling (1815-1842) who rescued survivors from a boat wrecked off the Farne Islands and Mrs Somerville (1780-1872) a science writer and advocate of higher education for women after whom Somerville College, Oxford is named.