Millicent Fawcett was a prominent British suffragist and a key figure in the movement for women's rights in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She led the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies, advocating for peaceful protest and democratic means to achieve the vote for women. Fawcett's approach significantly differed from that of more militant suffragettes, as she believed in engaging with politicians and working within the existing political system to effect change.
Born in 1847, Fawcett's early life was steeped in the values of education and social reform. She was influenced by her father's progressive views and her commitment to social justice. Throughout her life, she championed various causes beyond suffrage, including education for women and labor rights, reinforcing her belief in the importance of equality for all.
Fawcett's tireless work paid off when, in 1918, the Representation of the People Act was passed, granting the right to vote to women over 30 in the UK. She continued to campaign for broader suffrage and equality until her death in 1929. Her legacy endures, symbolizing the fight for women's rights and the power of peaceful advocacy.