NUWSS Procession, 13 June 1908

Suffragists prepare to take part in the NUWSS Procession, 13 June 1908. This demonstration, organised by the constitutional National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies, was intended to convince the new Liberal Prime Minister Asquith that there was mass support in the country for female suffrage. The event was attended by thousands of women from all corners of the UK who arrived in London on specially chartered trains. The 'glorious spectacle' enhanced by the gowns of doctors and graduates and 'nearly a thousand beautiful banners and bannerettes, each different, each wrought in gorgeous colour and rich materials' attracted much public, press and photographic interest.   In the centre of this image can be seen the Homemaker's banner designed by Mary Lowndes for the event. The double sided banner had on one side, as seen in the image a design of the fire of the hearth and the lamp of happy evenings. On the reverse was the phrase 'Remember their homeless sisters'. The banner, one in a series designed by Lowndes, founder of the Artists Suffrage League, for the event was announced in Women's Franchise on 14 May 1908  with the explanation 'Under it we hope that any will walk who feel their special sphere is the home.  The group should comprise all classes of home-makers, the lady at the head of the house, the housekeeper, the children's nurse, the cook, the parlourmaid etc'.