Suffragettes and Nursing: Free History Talk in Edinburgh: what residents need to know

Name: Fight for the Vote: Suffragettes and Nursing
Start: 2026-08-20
End: 2026-08-20
Location: Royal College of Nursing

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-20 09:29 2 min read

Historic stone building with a steeple under a bright blue sky in Edinburgh.

On August 20, 2026, the Royal College of Nursing in Edinburgh will host a public talk titled ‘Fight for the Vote: Suffragettes and Nursing.’ This event offers an opportunity to explore the intersection between the early 20th-century suffrage movement and the nursing profession, highlighting the experiences of nurses who were also active suffragettes.

Historical Context and Nursing Advocacy

The event delves into a significant period of social and political change. During the early 1900s, many suffragettes faced imprisonment and the physical trauma associated with force-feeding. The talk examines the dual role played by nurses during this time; while some were active participants in the suffrage movement, others were involved in the medical care of those suffering from the harsh conditions of their incarceration. A key focus of the discussion will be the public outcry raised by nursing professionals, who highlighted the lack of adequate medical support for suffragettes during their recovery from these ordeals.

Suffragettes and Nursing: Free History Talk in Edinburgh: what residents need to know

Expert Panel and Programme Highlights

The session will be chaired by Professor Emerita Pam Smith, the former head of Nursing Studies at the University of Edinburgh (2010–2013). Attendees will hear from a panel of experts who will provide both historical context and professional insight:

Jenny Noble (Glasgow Women’s Library): Will provide an introduction to the library’s suffrage collection and host a ‘show and tell’ session featuring key historical materials.
Vari Drennan MBE: Professor of Health Care & Policy Research at Kingston University and Chair of the Royal College of Nursing’s History of Nursing Forum, who will discuss the broader history of the profession.
Dr. Alison O’Donnell: A retired Lecturer in Nursing at the University of Dundee with a long-standing research interest in the history of nursing.

Useful Details for Planning Your Visit

This talk is presented as part of the programming accompanying the ‘Prison Nursing Unlocked: A history of care and justice’ exhibition, which remains open to the public until September 30, 2026. For those planning to attend, please note the following logistical information:

Detail	Information
Date	20 August 2026
Venue	Royal College of Nursing, 42 South Oswald Road, Edinburgh, EH9 2HH
Cost	Free admission
Booking	Advance booking is required

The venue is located in the Southside area of Edinburgh. As this is a free event with limited capacity, those interested in attending are encouraged to secure their place via the official event page as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Source: Forever Edinburgh Events

Context & actions About this article

Source check Event Verification

Details were confirmed against the official Forever Edinburgh event listing for August 2026.

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