Dublin Women's Suffrage Association

The Dublin Women's Suffrage Association was an organisation for women's suffrage which was set up in Dublin in 1874. It was founded by Anna Haslam, alongside her husband, Thomas Haslam.[1] Its first secretaries were Anna Haslam and Miss McDowell.[2] Haslam resigned as secretary in 1913. [3]

In regards to membership, Anna Haslam suggested an annual subscription of one shilling per annum as membership in the association.[4]

The association went through several name changes: "first to the Dublin Women's Suffrage and Poor Law Guardian Association, when women won eligibility as poor law guardians, then formally to the Dublin Women's Suffrage and Local Government Association when they gained all local government franchises and eligibility for election as district councillors, and in 1898 to the Irish Women's Suffrage and Local Government Association as the suffrage movement expanded coming up to the turn of the century."[3]

As well as campaigning for women's suffrage, it sought to advance women's position in local government. The association was also interested in campaigning for equality for women.[4] The way in which the Haslam's sought to achieve this was through peaceful reformism, such as making friends in parliament, or having meetings with important speakers. [1] The association also carried out its mission by circulating periodicals that advocated for their issues of interest.[4] Other goals of the association included appointing women to positions "such as rate collectors and sanitary inspectors, while always pursuing the association's main objective of the parliamentary vote."[3]

Prominent members of the association in the 20th century were Lady Margaret Dockrell, Bridget Dudley Edwards and Mary Hayden.[5] Prominent supporters included Charles Cameron, Sir Andrew Reed, Willie Redmond MP, and William Field MP.[6]

Following the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act (1919), Lady Dockrell was one of the first Women Justices of the Peace to be appointed.

See also

References
  1. Crowe, Catriona. "How Irish women won the right to vote in 1918". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  2. Peter Gordon: Dictionary of British Women's Organisations 1825-1960
  3. "Minute Book of the Dublin Women's Suffrage Association / Irish Women's Suffrage and Local Government Association (1876–1913)". The National Archives of Ireland. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  4. Ryan, Louise; Ward, Margaret (2018-02-01). Irish Women and the Vote: Becoming Citizens, New Edition. Irish Academic Press. ISBN 978-1-78855-015-4.
  5. "Dr Robin Dudley Edwards dies in Dublin", Irish Times, 6 June 1988
  6. Irish Times, 5 September 1908. p 7
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