Suffragette group at the Green, White & Gold Fair

A group of Suffragettes in historic costume pose with their children at the Green, White and Gold Fair organised by the Women's Freedom League, 1909. This was one in a series of portraits of members of the Women's Freedom League taken by Christina Broom during the Fair. The Fairs, that became a regular feature of the League's campaign were named after the colour scheme of the WFL and were primarily fund-raising and propaganda events. The first Fair was held between 15th and 17th April 1909 at Caxton Hall which became the regular venue of the Fairs that continued even during World War I. It is possible that this series of posed portraits by Broom were taken in the courtyard of Caxton Hall during the first Fair of 1909. This Fair included a programme of theatrical entertainments organised by the Actresses' Franchise League and a number of side shows including a display of Cicely Hamilton's waxworks, a tableux of Famous Women of History arranged by Edith Craig, a gypsy tent, several palmists and craftswomen at work. The first day of the three day fair was opened by the actress Ellen Terry who, similarly to other women at the event was dressed in 15th century costume to represent a time when 'women were free and equal with the tyrant man'. Also performing at the event was the singer Marie Lloyd.

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.