It is 100 years today since British women were first guaranteed the right to vote - not all women, but only those over thirty years of age and either in possession of land, or married to a man with property, qualified. 

Items such as this, when offered for sale, are almost always described as 'Suffragette' as the colours, a combination of white, green and purple, are those adopted in 1908 by the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU).The colours symbolised dignity (purple), purity (white) and hope (green). By wearing such jewellery a woman could demonstrate support for the cause of women's suffrage, without necessarily taking action. My brooch is not for the purist, as other colours are included but the suggestion of WSPU colours is enough to raise the question - would I have worn it as a Suffragist.