Banner

Banner of the United Suffragists. Rectangle with seven tabs and V in centre third of bottom edge. Purple cotton, yellow cotton sateen, orange silk satin, cream silk, cording. Device of two snakes, entwined around a winged, flaming torch. The words 'United Suffragists' above and 'Usque ad finem' below, 'Join us' on reverse.
The United Suffragists was formed on 6 February 1914. The organisation, led by former supports of the Women's Social and Political Union - Gerald Gould, H.W Nevinson and Evelyn Sharp was open to both men and women, militants and non-militants. A banner for the US was designed by Laurence Housman (a Vice-President of the US) and made by Clemence Housman although it is uncertain if this is the Housman banner. Other notable members of the United Suffragists were Emmeline and Fred Pethick Lawrence who, in August 1914 agreed that the Votes for Women newspaper they bankrolled should become the official paper of the US, edited by Evelyn Sharp. The US formed branches throughout the UK and campaigned for votes for women throughout World War I as well as undertaking philanthropic work including establishing a club for working women in Southwark. Following the granting of partial female suffrage in 1918 the United Suffragists wound up the organisation and ceased publishing the Votes for Women newspaper.