Photograph of Suffragette Elizabeth Freeman

Elizabeth Freeman was born near Chesterfield in the late 1870s. When she was a young girl her Mother emigrated to America taking with her, her 3 children settling in Long Island, New York. Freeman became aware of the ‘Votes for Women’ campaign when she returned to England with her Mother, to make and sell silk ribbon flowers. Whilst living in London she embraced the Suffragettes cause taking part in processions, selling Suffragette publications in Trafalgar Square, and speaking at meetings and rallies. She was arrested 9 times and served two terms in Holloway prison. She returned to America in 1910 where she continued campaigning.