Suffragettes on horseback

Suffragettes on horseback taking part in a procession to promote the Women's Exhibition, May 1909
The 'Women's Exhibition and Sale of Works in the Colours', was organised by the Women's Social and Political Union to publicise the 'Votes for Women' cause and raise funds for the campaign. In order to achieve maximum publicity and visitor numbers the WSPU organised a number of promotional events both before and during the two week Exhibition that took place at Prince's Skating Rink, Knightsbridge between 13th and 26th May 1909. These mounted Suffragettes wearing Votes for Women sashes took part in a promotional procession on Saturday 8th May that began and ended at Kingsway travelling through Regent Street and Piccadilly to the exhibition venue at Knightsbridge then back to Holborn via Victoria Street, Whitehall and Charing Cross. Suffragettes on horseback were a popular feature of such processions and attracted considerable interest from crowds of onlookers.

Christina Broom, trading as Mrs Albert Broom, was a pioneering professional photographer and is considered to be the UK's first woman press photographer. Broom's extensive photographic work spans the activities of the suffrage movement in London, street views, military figures and actions of the Household Division including the First World War period, sporting events and the Royal Family.