In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’ve picked out a handful of satirical suffrage rhymes published by The Woman Suffrage Party in 1912, alongside their tongue in cheek illustrations.
Origins of Women's History Month
Since the late 20th century, March has been celebrated as Women’s History Month, an annual celebration of women’s contributions to society and culture.
The Women’s Suffrage movement began in the mid-19th century and sought to change the voting laws to give women the right to vote. Spearheaded by The National Woman Suffrage Association, founded in 1869, their plans for social reform and political equality spread worldwide and finally succeeded in England in the early 1900s, when laws were passed granting women the right to vote (1928).
For more titles by and about brilliant women of the past, see our collection of titles in celebration of Women’s History Month here.
Women's Suffrage Rhymes
Mistress Mary, quite contrary,
How do your arguments grow?
A few facts perverted, old notions asserted,
And little fibs all in a row.
Simon Simon met a pieman
Going to the fair;
Says Simon Simon to the pieman,
“Let me taste your ware.”
“Certainly, Simon,” says the pieman,
“Just choose from what’s before you.”
“I’m starving,” says a woman near,
But they say, “We’ll eat for you.”
Humpty Dumpty sits on a wall;
Humpty Dumpty’s doomed to a fall;
For suffragist logic and women’s intrusion
Are demolishing much of his former seclusion.
I had a little husband
No bigger than my thumb;
Though I was college graduate
My husband, he was dumb.
I earned the money we lived on
And ran the house beside,
But when it came to voting
I must humbly step aside.
Hark! Hark!
The dogs do bark!
Suffragettes on parade
Some in rags
And some in tags!
But all are welcome made!
Originally published in 1912, this book contains a fantastic collection of illustrated, satirical poems written by The Women Suffrage Party. With an introduction by English politician and feminist, Millicent Fawcett, this book is perfect for those who are interested in the Suffrage movement and also women in history.
