Suffragette Meeting, 1909

A Suffragette meeting, January 1909. On the platform can be seen Emmeline Pankhurst, the leader of the Women's Social and Political Union, being presented with a gift by her supporters.

The organisation of large meetings was a key policy of the WSPU during 1908 and 1909. The appearance of the Suffragette leaders at such meetings ensured mass attendance and maximum publicity. Not only were such meetings an important way to 'get across' the Suffragette message and galvanise support for the campaign they also provided opportunities for fund-raising. In 1908 it was estimated that the WSPU held 10,000 meetings throughout the country including weekly 'At Homes' in London, initially at the Portman Rooms and later at the Queen's Hall, Langham Place attended by up to 1000 Suffragettes.