First performed in 1908, How the Vote Was Won is a one act play by
actress Cicely Hamilton and Christopher St. John. Set in England during
the early 18th century, How the Vote Was Won uses comedy to tell a
story in support of women's suffrage. In this one act the English
government tells its people that women do not need to worry about having
the right to vote because the men will be in charge of taking care of
them. This was part of the ridiculous idea held by the United Kingdom,
and the world at the time. Women were held under the authority of their
husbands, and would be solely supported by them. This allowed them no
place in politics and took away their autonomy. The play stars Horace,
an anti-suffragist, who is confronted by many of his female relatives
demanding that he start supporting them since they have no rights. Many
of these women formally held jobs, financially supporting themselves but
have quit in protest and support of the movement for women to have
voting rights, the same as men. Now, Horace is forced to either support
each of these women, practicing what he preaches, or admit to his
hypocritical beliefs. Written by two of the most notable champions in
literature for women's rights in the United Kingdom, How the Vote Was
Won by Cecily Hamilton and Christopher St. John served as a clever and
humorous way to address the inequalities women suffered. Today, the work
of these two passionate activists still provides an accurate portrayal
of the political landscape they lived in. This edition of How the Vote
Was Won by Cecily Hamilton and Christopher St. John features an
eye-catching new cover design and is presented in a font that is both
modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition is
accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring How the
Vote Was Won to modern standards while preserving the clever comedy and
impact of the work of Cecily Hamilton and Christopher St. John.
