With their ideas finding greater voice in a growing variety of publications, women became increasingly skilled at forwarding their own political agendas.

This May 22, 1880 issue of the London magazine The Graphic illustrates the National Demonstration in favor of women’s suffrage held at St James Hall on May 6. The suffrage activist Rhoda Garrett is shown addressing the assembled crowd.

Women novelists used fiction to promote a variety of progressive social agendas. Clementina Black was a suffragist and trade unionist who campaigned to improve industrial conditions for women. She was a co-founder of the women’s Labour Bureau, which led to the formation of the Women’s Industrial Council in 1894. Black wrote seven novels, including this one about a socialist strike leader.

Actress and writer Eilzabeth Robins was an outspoken advocate for women’s suffrage. Her 1907 novel The Convert was adapted from her electrifying play Votes For Women, which was based upon the lives and struggles of several prominent suffrage leaders.

This subscription page lists the names of working women—including writers—who have contributed written statements of support for women’s suffrage.