British Women have played a vital role in the history of the country for a very long time. British women have excelled in all spheres of public life, including political, social, academic, literary, artistic, and sports. They are also acutely conscious of their rights and social freedom. In modern Britain women enjoy equal social and political rights as their male counterparts. Job prospects for women in Britain have also steadily increased over the years.
British Women in Politics and Governance
As early as in the Anglo-Saxon time, Britain got its first Queen, Empress Matilda. Although she was not particularly popular among her subjects, yet she did succeed in creating a precedent of women at the helm of the nation’s governance. Women would continue to play a highly meaningful and significant role in the socio-economic scenario of the country throughout its history. By the middle of the 19th century, Britain has already had great Queens in the forms of Elizabeth I and Victoria I. The emancipation of women from the shackles of domesticity in Britain first took place in the 18th century. Writers like Mary Wollstonecraft wrote vigorously for the rights of women. The movement gained pace in the Victorian Age. John Stuart Mill was vociferous in his vindication for the rights and liberties of British women.
These initial movements, although highly significant, were largely separate and disorganized. They finally culminated in the outburst of the Suffragette movement in the early twentieth century, ensuring women’s right to vote. It was the first organized movement towards women's empowerment. Political status was seen to be the first step towards securing economic independence, which in turn was a necessity to bring about emancipation of the women. The success of securing voting rights opened a new chapter in the history of Britain for women.
British Women in Literature and Culture
Apart from the world of politics, women in Britain have also played a very important role in the literary and cultural spheres. As early as in the later half of the 17th Century, Aphra Behn was already writing professionally for the Public theaters. Virginia Wolf was the high-priestess of the modernist movement, and one of the first to speak boldly about the economic self-sufficiency of women in a patriarchal world. Jane Austen and George Eliot were also women who made a mark for themselves in the literary world. The English stage was also graced with the talents of Mrs. Sarah Siddons, a celebrated actress from the 18th century. Britain was also the major epicenter for the development of the Anglo-American school of Feminist studies. The cultural scenario of Britain continues to be replete with contribution from a number of eminent women
Women in Present Day Britain
Present day women in Britain are known for their talents, professional expertise in a number of fields, and their academic excellence. The degree of personal freedom enjoyed by women in Britain is also noteworthy. Women in Britain are being appointed at high posts in educational and various institutes across the country today. The male-female birth ratio in Britain is balanced and constant, which shows that women are considered equally important in the Country.
The British women have proven their mettle as scientist, leaders, social activists and economists. Names of some of the most prominent British women are enlisted below:
- Nancy Astor
- Augusta
- Anne Ayres
- Aquitaine
- Elizabeth Arden
A number of NGOs are committed towards safeguarding the interest of the women in Britain. These NGOs can be found all over the country.
