With today (Tuesday 6 February) marking 100 years to the day since women were given the right to vote for the first time, St Helens Council has arranged for the Steve Prescott Bridge to be lit purple, green and white this evening.
Purple, green and white were the colours adopted by the suffragettes – a women’s organisation that campaigned for equal rights – with purple symbolising dignity, green symbolising hope, and white symbolising purity.
Many suffragettes sacrificed their own freedom and even their own lives in order to win the vote, most notably Emily Wilding Davidson who died after walking out onto the racetrack at the 1913 Epson Derby which resulted in her being hit by King George V’s horse, Anmer.
Commenting on the importance of commemorating this important day in history, St Helens Council Leader, Barrie Grunewald, said: “It’s difficult to imagine living in a society where women are disregarded, so it’s only right that St Helens Council commemorates those who gave their all so that
women across the country were given the right to vote and live as equals.
“Their bravery and determination is remarkably inspiring and will never be forgotten.”