Ada's Army is more than just a volunteer initiative; it is a continuation of a long and powerful legacy of women (especially from Scotland) who have tirelessly fought for a more just world. We believe that by celebrating and re-creating their stories, we can ignite a new generation of activists who understand that the struggle for women’s rights is built on the bravery of those who came before us.
This is a call to artists, poets, writers, and digital creators to help us bring these incredible lives to life. We want to honor their memory and amplify their message by making their history accessible, inspiring, and unforgettable. Your contribution will transform historical records into living narratives—through cartoons, poetry, comics, images, and more—that resonate with people today.
The Unsung Heroes of the Scottish Suffrage Movement
While the names of Emmeline Pankhurst and Millicent Fawcett are widely known, the Scottish suffragettes who risked everything for the vote are often overlooked. The movement in Scotland was a vibrant and complex tapestry of both peaceful and militant activism, with women from all walks of life demonstrating remarkable courage and strategic prowess. They fought against a male-dominated political establishment and a deeply ingrained societal resistance to change, often facing hostility from the press and public alike.
The journey was long and arduous. It began with the "suffragists" who, through constitutional means like petitions and public debates, laid the foundational groundwork. However, frustrated by the lack of progress, many turned to the more radical "suffragette" movement, a term coined by the press to deride their militant actions. Yet, for these women, the escalating tactics were a necessary and a bold act of rebellion against an indifferent state.
Dr. Elsie Inglis (1864-1917): The Physician and Humanitarian
Born in India, Dr. Elsie Inglis embodies the spirit of both scientific innovation and political activism. After returning to Scotland, she faced significant barriers to her medical education but persevered, becoming a pioneering doctor and surgeon. Her activism began with her frustration at the poor state of medical care available to women. This led her to a deeper conviction that women needed a voice in government to address such systemic inequalities.
Inglis was not a militant suffragette, but a leading figure in the peaceful movement. She served as the secretary of the Edinburgh National Society for Women's Suffrage and was a tireless advocate for change through reasoned argument and public speaking. Her true legacy, however, came during the First World War. When she offered to set up medical units for the war effort, the British War Office infamously told her to "go home and sit still."
Instead of accepting this dismissal, Inglis took matters into her own hands. She founded the Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Service, an organization staffed and funded entirely by women. This was a direct extension of the suffrage movement, demonstrating women’s competence and patriotism in the face of male-led resistance. From the battlefields of Serbia to Russia, these hospitals provided critical care to wounded soldiers, and Inglis herself was a commanding presence, working in the field and negotiating with military officials. She was awarded the highest Serbian honor for her heroic work. Her life story is a powerful testament to the idea that a woman’s fight for her rights and her dedication to the service of others are one and the same.
Flora Drummond (1878-1949): "The General"
Nicknamed "The General" for her commanding presence and military-style uniform, Flora Drummond was a formidable force in the militant suffragette movement. Born in Manchester but raised on the Isle of Arran, her early life was marked by a personal injustice that fueled her activism: she was denied a job as a postmistress for being one inch too short. This experience of arbitrary discrimination against women resonated deeply with her and solidified her commitment to fighting for equality.
Drummond became a key organizer for the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), founded by the Pankhurst family. Her skills as a public speaker were legendary; she could command a crowd and deftly put down hecklers. She was a master of grand, theatrical protests, including once mooring a barge outside the Houses of Parliament to draw attention to a suffrage rally. She was imprisoned nine times for her activism, which included inciting public gatherings and disrupting political events.
When she organized the first major WSPU procession in Edinburgh in 1909, she drew an estimated 10,000 women, with some dressed as famous Scottish historical figures to connect their modern fight with a national legacy of defiance. Her life story is a narrative of unwavering determination and a willingness to use creative, and often risky, tactics to gain a platform and force the political establishment to listen.
Frances Parker (1875-1924): A Militant Force from New Zealand
Born in New Zealand, where women already had the right to vote, Frances Parker was a member of a prominent family and the niece of Lord Kitchener. She left New Zealand for a privileged education at Cambridge, where she became committed to the British suffrage movement. Her background and connections did not shield her from the brutal realities of the campaign.
Parker quickly became a prominent leader in the WSPU's Scottish chapter, known for her dedication to militant acts. She was imprisoned several times for her activism, including for her involvement in a mass window-smashing campaign in London. In prison, she went on hunger strikes and was subjected to the horrific, and often sexually violent, practice of force-feeding. A doctor at Perth Prison attempted to feed her rectally, causing severe bruising. She later wrote about her ordeal, bringing public attention to the inhumane treatment of suffragettes.
Her most infamous action in Scotland was the attempt to burn down Robert Burns's cottage in Alloway in 1914 with fellow suffragette Ethel Moorhead. Though they were caught, the act was a powerful, if controversial, statement. It was not out of hatred for the poet, but a symbolic act of defiance, invoking Burns's famous lines about liberty to justify their radical means.
We are looking for passionate individuals who can help us make these stories and many more—of women like Helen Crawfurd, Maud Edwards, and Ethel Moorhead—come alive for a new generation. By translating their history into modern creative forms, you will be giving voice to the voiceless, honoring the past, and actively shaping a more equitable future.