Miss Nina Boyle

Other sources: http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4769024

Database linked sources: https://www.suffrageresources.org.uk/resource/3229/the-womens-freedom-league

Additional Information: Nina had been a journalist in South Africa and, on her return to Britain, joined the Women's Freedom League (WFL). She became one of its key speakers and was on its executive committee. In 1911, she also subscribed to the New Constitutional Society for Women's Suffrage (NCSWS) and took part in the illegal suffrage boycott of the goverment census at her home in 23 Victoria Street, London. There she refused to give her details to the census officials, scrawling votes for women slogans across her form, and provided a 'hide out' for five women seeking to evade the census altogether. She was arrested several times and imprisoned on three occasions, usually for 'obstruction' of the police when taking part in demonstrations. The Home Office arrest index mistakenly lists Nina Boyle as 'Dianah' or 'Lina' Boyle.

Other Suffrage Activities: In August 1914, Nina founded and became chief of the Women Police Volunteers and was among the first women to wear a police uniform. During the war, she worked with a hospital unit in Serbia. In early 1918, Nina won a by-election in Keighley and was the first woman to be nominated as a parliamentary candidate. There were technical issues surrounding her nomination and in the end she was barred from standing. In 1921, she was a supporter of the 'Never again' Association, a champion of black women in South Africa.