Miss Lilias Sophia Ashworth (Hallett)

Other sources: https://www.parliament.uk/1866
Elizabeth Crawford, The Women's Suffrage Movement: A Reference Guide, 1866?1928 (2001)

Database linked sources: https://www.suffrageresources.org.uk/activity/3214/how-effective-was-the-votes-for-women-campaign-in-bristol

Family information: In 1877 married Prof. Thomas Hallett at Bristol University. Sister to Annie Ashworth, who also signed the 1866 petition. Niece of Jacob Bright MP.

Additional Information: Lilias subscribed to the Enfranchisement of Women Committee (EWC) in 1866, joined the London NSWS in 1867 and the Bristol and West of England NSWS in 1868, being its honorary secretary and, by 1899, its treasurer. She also gave generously to the Edinburgh NSWS. She attended a number of meetings in Manchester and organised some suffrage 'tours' in the west of England and south Wales. She was a very active and successful speaker at a time when women were frowned upon for being visible on a public platform. She gave speeches in Birmingham, Bristol and Rochdale (Lancashire). Later she sat on the executive committee of the Central Committee of the NSWS (CCNSWS) and, in 1898, subscribed to the Women's Emancipation Union (WEU). By 1903 she was an executive committee member of the NUWSS, a vice president of the Central Society and vice president of the London Society in 1913. She also supported the WSPU until they became too militant. Such was her contribution to the female suffrage cause, her name was later embroidered into a suffrage banner carried on marches.

Other Suffrage Activities: Lilias donated generously to Girton Ladies College, Cambridge.