The 100 years from 1819-1919 were the most remarkable in the history of womankind. In 1819 women had no rights, no status, no options, no votes. Females were denied higher and further education. Job opportunities were menial and few. Legally, women were not even considered to be 'persons.' By 1919 they had achieved full legal rights and status the doors of education, equality and professions had been thrown open to them they had proved that they could do any job a man could do, and most importantly they had achieved universal suffrage.brbrAppalling conditions suffered by those living and working in the textile industries of the North-West provided the impetus to demand democratic political reforms and a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. Women were not allowed to join official associations so they formed their own groups, seeing the main objective as achieving results for their menfolk, which would make life better for women in turn. Then they could concentrate on fighting for their