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February 8, 2018

Jessie Boucherett – suffragette and founder of FfW – features in BBC coverage

As the UK marked the centenary of some women gaining the vote Futures for Women was proud to know that its founder, Jessie Boucherett, played a part in starting the campaign for women’s suffrage.

After establishing the Society for Promoting the Employment of Women (now known as Futures for Women), Jessie became involved in many other aspects of the women’s movement, in the process developing an impressive feminist identity. The importance of the contribution she made to that movement has been largely overlooked by historians. It was Jessie’s immediate donation (of a sum equivalent to at least £2,000 today) offered during a discussion with Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon in May 1866 which helped the campaign for women’s suffrage to get off the ground. On notepaper headed ‘Society for Promoting the Employment of Women in connexion with the NAPSS, 19 Langham Place, London’ Bodichon wrote to John Stuart Mill’s daughter Helen Taylor, suggesting that the latter should draft a petition to gain the vote for women. Bodichon wrote:

“Miss Boucherett who is here puts down £25 at once for expenses. I shall be every day this week at this office at 3 p.m. Could you write a petition – which you could bring with you.”

On 6 February the life and work of Jessie Boucherett was featured in two BBC programmes celebrating Vote100.  Dr Anne Bridger, historian and co-author of the book “Timely Assistance” which charts Jessie’s life and work, was interviewed on BBC Look North and BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

Jessie died in 1905, thirteen years before the vote was given to some women, and is buried in North Willingham churchyard in Lincolnshire.  But her legacy lives on in Futures for Women, who continue to assist women with the costs of further education and training to enable them to become financially independent and active members of our society.

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February 5, 2018

Press for Progress on International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day takes place each year on 8 March.  This is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.  The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

International Women’s Day (IWD) has occurred for well over a century, with the first​ ​March 8​ ​IWD gathering supported by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.   Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere.

Each year IWD has a theme and for 2018 this is “Press for Progress”.  Futures for Women would like to call on all its members, beneficiaries, ex-beneficiaries and supporters to help accelerate gender parity.  You can make your pledge below.  Further information on IWD 2018 can be found on their website.

 

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Recent Posts

  • Debut novel by ex-FfW beneficiary is published by Orion Fiction
  • FfW celebrates International Women’s Day 2021 by announcing new grant programme
  • Jessie Boucherett features in new encyclopaedia of Victorian women published in Australia
  • Artist draws on work during the pandemic to win award
  • Ex-beneficiary starts on her career journey

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