Millicent Fawcett
Early Life and Education
Millicent Fawcett, born on June 11, 1847, in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, was a prominent British suffragist and a leading figure in the campaign for women's rights. She was the eighth of ten children in the Garrett family, a family known for its progressive views on women's education and empowerment. Her father, Newson Garrett, was a successful businessman, and her mother, Louisa Dunnell, was a homemaker who encouraged her daughters to pursue education and independence.
Fawcett's early education was at home, where she was taught by her mother and governesses. At the age of 12, she was sent to a private boarding school in Blackheath, London. Her time at school was formative, as it exposed her to new ideas and the importance of education for women. Her sister, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, was the first woman to qualify as a physician and surgeon in Britain, further influencing Fawcett's views on women's rights and education.
Marriage and Family
In 1867, Millicent married Henry Fawcett, a Liberal Member of Parliament and Professor of Political Economy at Cambridge University. Henry was a strong supporter of women's rights, and their marriage was a partnership of intellectual equals. Despite Henry's blindness, which resulted from a shooting accident, he continued his political career with Millicent's support. The couple had one daughter, Philippa Fawcett, who later became a renowned mathematician.
Political Activism and the Suffrage Movement
Millicent Fawcett's involvement in the women's suffrage movement began in earnest in the 1860s. She became a member of the London Society for Women's Suffrage and worked alongside other prominent suffragists like Emmeline Pankhurst. Fawcett believed in peaceful and constitutional methods of campaigning, setting her apart from the more militant suffragettes.
In 1897, she became the president of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), an organization that advocated for women's voting rights through non-violent means. Under her leadership, the NUWSS grew significantly, aligning itself with the Liberal Party and focusing on lobbying Parliament, organizing petitions, and holding public meetings.
Contributions to Women's Education
Fawcett was a staunch advocate for women's education. She played a crucial role in the founding of Newnham College, Cambridge, one of the first colleges for women at the university. Her efforts were instrumental in the eventual acceptance of women as full members of the university.
She also served as a governor of Bedford College, London, and was involved in the establishment of the Girls' Public Day School Trust, which aimed to provide high-quality education for girls. Fawcett's work in education was driven by her belief that education was the key to women's empowerment and equality.
Later Life and Legacy
After the passage of the Representation of the People Act 1918, which granted voting rights to women over the age of 30 who met certain property qualifications, Fawcett retired from active politics. However, she continued to write and speak on women's rights and other social issues.
Millicent Fawcett passed away on August 5, 1929, in London. Her legacy is remembered as one of dedication to the cause of women's rights and education. In 2018, a statue of Fawcett was unveiled in Parliament Square, London, making her the first woman to be commemorated in this iconic location.