Olive Wharry

Olive-wharry

Olive Wharry (1886–1947) was a British artist and suffragette known for her activism in the women's suffrage movement. She was a member of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) and participated in various militant activities to advocate for women's right to vote.

Early Life

Olive Wharry was born in 1886 in London, England. She developed an interest in art at a young age and pursued her studies in this field. Wharry's early life was marked by her growing awareness of social inequalities, which eventually led her to join the suffrage movement.

Suffrage Activism

Wharry became actively involved in the WSPU, an organization founded by Emmeline Pankhurst to campaign for women's suffrage. The WSPU was known for its militant tactics, including protests, hunger strikes, and acts of civil disobedience.

Arson Attack

One of Wharry's most notable acts of militancy was her involvement in an arson attack on the Tea House at Kew Gardens in 1913. Alongside fellow suffragette Lilias Ashworth Hallett, Wharry set fire to the building as a protest against the government's refusal to grant women the right to vote. Both women were arrested and sentenced to prison.

Imprisonment and Hunger Strikes

During her imprisonment, Wharry participated in hunger strikes, a common tactic used by suffragettes to protest their incarceration and demand recognition as political prisoners. The government responded with the controversial practice of force-feeding, which caused significant physical and psychological harm to the suffragettes.

Later Life and Legacy

After the Representation of the People Act 1918 granted voting rights to some women, Wharry continued to advocate for full suffrage and women's rights. She remained active in various social causes until her death in 1947.

Olive Wharry's contributions to the suffrage movement are remembered as part of the broader struggle for women's rights in the United Kingdom. Her dedication and sacrifices exemplify the determination and resilience of the suffragettes.

See Also

• Women's suffrage in the United Kingdom
• Emmeline Pankhurst
• Women's Social and Political Union
• Hunger strikes in the women's suffrage movement