Women are a powerful force capable of conquering any heights. It’s hard to imagine that not so long ago, women had no right to work, receive an education or vote. Today, women run companies, teach, and serve as elected officials alongside men — and sometimes, even more effectively. In this article, we explore how women in Leeds fought for their rights. Read more at leedska.com.
The Suffragist Movement in Leeds
In the 19th century, Leeds became one of the centres of the suffragist movement — the campaign for women’s right to vote. Women activists in our city organised rallies, demonstrations and various events to raise public awareness about the lack of political rights. The idea of gender equality had actually emerged earlier, during the French Revolution of 1789. Over time, a number of influential works appeared. One of the most impactful was The Subjection of Women (1869) by John Stuart Mill. His writing strongly influenced the activists of Leeds. Mill stressed the importance of freedom of expression and self-determination, as long as it did not harm others. He believed that society should support a diversity of views and a clash of ideas, as these foster progress. Mill also believed in the inevitability of increasing social equality and argued that society should aim to provide equal opportunities for all individuals.
In 1907, Leeds hosted one of the key congresses of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies. The event focused on strategies for continuing the struggle. These efforts led to the Representation of the People Act 1918, which granted some women the right to vote. Full voting rights were eventually extended to all women in 1928.
But the right to vote wasn’t the only goal. Women in Leeds also fought for access to education and employment. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, women’s educational institutions began opening in the city, and more businesses started hiring women. However, they were paid significantly less than their male counterparts.
Continued Struggles for Women’s Rights
It’s important to note that both the First and Second World Wars played a major role in the fight for women’s rights. Women in Leeds took on many of the roles traditionally held by men, which strengthened their calls for equal treatment in the workplace.
During the second half of the 20th century, the feminist movement became increasingly active in Leeds. In the 1970s, several organisations were established in the city to advocate for women’s rights in areas such as reproductive health, domestic violence prevention and protection from discrimination. Another key development was the establishment of women’s support centres — spaces where victims could find help, support and safety.
In recent years, approximately 28–30% of leadership positions in Leeds are held by women, which mirrors the broader trends seen across the United Kingdom. The proportion of women in senior management is steadily increasing — for example, this figure rose from 25.7% in 2015 to 28.1% in 2024.
Moreover, women in Leeds, as in other large UK cities, are gradually occupying more leadership roles in business, education, healthcare and the public sector. In fact, the percentage of women in managerial roles in Leeds exceeds 40%, one of the highest rates in the region.
In conclusion, the history of the fight for women’s rights in Leeds is a powerful example of sustained and determined efforts for equality, reflecting broader national trends across Britain. The contribution of Leeds women to the city’s development and society as a whole is invaluable. Without their determination, it is difficult to say what position women would hold in today’s society.
We hope you found this article insightful and that it helped you learn more about your city.