Margaret McPhun

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Margaret McPhun

Margaret McPhun (1876–1960) was a prominent Scottish suffragette and political activist. She played a significant role in the women's suffrage movement in the early 20th century, advocating for women's right to vote and participating in various forms of protest and civil disobedience.

Early Life

Margaret McPhun was born in 1876 in Glasgow, Scotland. She was the daughter of a well-known Glasgow family and was educated at the University of Glasgow, where she developed an interest in social and political issues.

Suffrage Movement

Margaret McPhun became actively involved in the women's suffrage movement in the early 1900s. She joined the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), a leading organization campaigning for women's suffrage in the United Kingdom. The WSPU was known for its militant tactics, including protests, hunger strikes, and acts of civil disobedience.

Imprisonment and Hunger Strikes

In 1912, McPhun was arrested for her participation in a window-smashing campaign organized by the WSPU. She was sentenced to imprisonment in Holloway Prison, where she joined other suffragettes in a hunger strike to protest the harsh conditions and demand recognition as political prisoners. The hunger strikes led to the implementation of the controversial Cat and Mouse Act, which allowed for the temporary release of hunger-striking prisoners who were then re-arrested once they had recovered.

Later Life and Legacy

After the Representation of the People Act 1918 granted voting rights to women over the age of 30, McPhun continued to be active in political and social causes. She was involved in various organizations advocating for women's rights and social justice.

Margaret McPhun passed away in 1960, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to the cause of women's suffrage and equality.

See Also

• Women's suffrage in the United Kingdom
• Women's Social and Political Union
• Holloway Prison
• Cat and Mouse Act
• Representation of the People Act 1918