The act which gave women over 30 a vote, had come into law in February, 1918. But it was not until the 1928 ‘equal franchise’ act that they were able to vote on the same terms as men. The attitudes expressed in the following item were, unfortunately, still common and thankfully, seem very outdated nowadays. Interestingly, Mr W. Holt-White does not appear to be a ‘well-known author’ today.
“Women who have made History.
In an interesting article written by Mr. W. Holt-White, the well-known author, in the November number of the Royal Magazine (C. A. Pearson, Ltd.), a review is given of women’s demands as embodied in a recent manifesto, and of the probate results should they be granted. Dealing with “Women who have made History,” Mr. Holt-White says:-
“I hate to be unkind to women, I detest to appear unchivalrous, but, if woman forces the issue she must, at least, face the facts. And the facts, so far as history goes, are not very much in her favour. If you run through the names of women who have won to fame in this world – Helen of Troy, Cleopatra Beatrice, Catherine de Medici, Madame de Pompadour, and so on, one has to admit that their fame has rested entirely on their sex. There are, of course, a few exceptions, such as Boadicea and Joan of Arc. Poor dears! How they have been overworked!
For the rest, notable accomplishments on the part of woman have been neither frequent nor famous. In art, literature, and music she has produced some notabilities but no geniuses who will live. In science she can record Madame Currie (sic), but in medicine, for instance, beyond Dr. Garrett Anderson, she has produced few physicians or surgeons of lasting utility or note. Then, though architecture urgently demands the attention of the female mind for the better planning of the home, architecture has no great charms for her. The great domestic businesses such as Department Stores, have been created by men, and are run by men. It is a horrible thought that the most beautiful gowns in the world are still designed by men.
“Woman may argue that she has not had time to make good, that it will take generations of education and progress to place her in a position when she can fairly, and with a decent chance, compete with man. I do not dispute it. I would only remind the good lady that if this is so, she mistakes revolution for evolution, that she is trying to run before she has learnt to toddle, and that in formulation her present formidable demands she is really asking too much of poor man.””
The Stamford Mercury, 22nd November, 1918.