This photograph shows Dame Millicent Garrett Fawcett (1847–1929), leader of the constitutional women's suffrage movement. Millicent Garrett married women's suffrage supporter Henry Fawcett MP in 1867, and published an article on women's education the same year, at the age of 20.  In addition to her many publications she was a frequent public speaker on women's rights.  Her tactical and determined leadership of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) from 1897 made it a substantial and influential force in the campaign for women's votes. 

She stepped down as leader in 1919 though continued to be active. After a lifetime's work campaigning for women's rights, Millicent Fawcett saw equal franchise achieved in 1928. Following her death a year later, she was honoured by a memorial in Westminster Abbey. In 1953 the London and National Society for Women's Service changed its name to the Fawcett Society in her honour.

Find out more about the suffragists