Equal Franchise Act Centenary 2028: Wakefield & Florence Beaumont

Dream Time Creative and the Forgotten Women of Wakefield have been working towards the 100th anniversary of equal voting rights for women for some time. In 2028, we will mark the centenary of the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928. This gave women the right to vote on the same terms as men, from the age of 21.

We are delighted to be partnering with #HerVote100’s Suffrage Sisters, helping to promote regional groups across the North. All are unearthing the stories of incredible women from our past who helped shape the political landscape of the present.

“You Cannot Be What You Cannot See”: Her Vote 100/2028

Here in Wakefield, our 2028 commemorations will have a particular focus on Florence Beaumont, the pioneering Wakefield suffragist. She devoted much of her life to campaigning for equal political rights for women.

Florence founded the Wakefield branch of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies. She continued campaigning for women’s political equality long after some women gained the vote in 1918. Her work eventually took her onto the international stage, where she represented women’s interests at the League of Nations.

To create a lasting memorial to her work and achievements, we are raising funds for a Florence Beaumont sculpture in Wakefield.

The Florence Beaumont Sculpture

We are delighted to have commissioned West Yorkshire artist Heather Crompton of Form Artworks to work on a design for the sculpture.

We plan to unveil the finished sculpture in July 2028, 100 years after women achieved equal voting rights with men. This is also the anniversary of Florence Beaumont leading the Great Pilgrimage through Wakefield.

The sculpture will create a permanent reminder of Florence’s contribution to women’s suffrage and political equality, in the city where her campaigning began.

Wakefield’s Equal Franchise Centenary Events

The sculpture will form part of a wider programme marking the centenary of the 1928 Equal Franchise Act.

We are excited to be developing plans for:

  • workshops
  • talks
  • exhibitions
  • heritage activities
  • a tour following in Florence Beaumont’s footsteps from Wakefield to Parliament

Check this page for updates or sign up for our newsletter to see further details and dates as plans develop.

Following Florence’s Footsteps to Parliament

As part of the 2028 programme, we plan to follow in Florence Beaumont’s footsteps from Wakefield to Parliament.

Once in London, we hope to present a petition calling for greater recognition of Florence as an important figure in British women’s political history.

The petition will open on International Women’s Day (Monday, March 8) 2027.

Be Part of Her Vote 100/2028

The centenary of the Equal Franchise Act offers an opportunity not only to remember the achievement of equal voting rights, but also to rediscover the women whose campaigning helped make political change possible.

Through our partnership with #HerVote100, we hope to ensure that Wakefield’s contribution to the history of women’s suffrage is remembered and shared with future generations.

This will include:

  • our Florence Beaumont sculpture,
  • heritage activities,
  • talks,
  • exhibitions,
  • commemorative events,

We will add more information about the programme as we approach 2028.

Other Sites Covering the Centenary of Equal Voting for Men and Women in the UK

HerVote100 – Website – Facebook

UKVote100 – Website

UK Parliament Vote 100 – Website