Constance Markievicz

You may not have heard of this woman before, but she was the first woman to be elected for the Parliament of the United Kingdom. She made campaign during the controversial legislative election of 1918 (the first in whic women voted, explained on the associated event), won and served for the constituency of Dublin St Patrick's, from 1918 to 1922. For most of that time, she also served a cabinet position, as Minister for Labour. Despite the many obstacles that were put to her and women to vote and be voted, Markievicz victory was an example that the cause was not useless, that things could change (despite of how long it takes), and that women deserved to be valued as individuals, instead of undervalued for their sex.

In case there was any doubt that Countess Makievicz was a strong woman, this picture depicts her wearing her Irish citizen army uniform and holding a gun.

Image of Public Domain.