Southall Black Sisters

The group created a banner celebrating the centenary of the first women to get the vote. They discussed themes of the Suffragette movement, equating it to the demonstrations and activism of Southall Black Sisters (SBS). Their banner pays homage to Princess Sophia Duleep Singh (1876-1948), a key figure in the Suffragette movement and a contemporary of Emmeline Pankhurst (1858 – 1928), whose contribution has been mostly forgotten.

SBS clients included phrases which resonated with them such as ‘Deeds not Words’ and ‘Struggle Not Submission’, to convey their message that some women today still do not have the vote.

Quote: “It has given me an insight into what is happening and happened in society. It has given me a purpose”.
Workshop participant.

“We had a fantastic time, it was brilliant seeing all those women coming out in solidarity celebrating 100 years of the suffragette.”
Workshop participant.

Southall Black Sisters, a not-for-profit, secular and inclusive organisation, was established in 1979 to meet the needs of Black (Asian and African-Caribbean) women. Our aims are to highlight and challenge all forms gender-related violence against women, empower them to gain more control over their lives; live without fear of violence and assert their human rights to justice, equality and freedom.