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Note our suffragettes and social reformers Note our suffragettes and social reformers
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The Bank of England has graciously agreed to recognise women's achievements, with Jane Austen appearing on £10 notes from 2017 (Report, 25 July). It's a shame, though, that the opportunity to mark a significant anniversary has been missed. Emmeline Pankhurst would have been a great way of recognising the vital step forward in 1918, when (limited) votes for women were introduced. This was the moment when Britain became a modern democracy.The Bank of England has graciously agreed to recognise women's achievements, with Jane Austen appearing on £10 notes from 2017 (Report, 25 July). It's a shame, though, that the opportunity to mark a significant anniversary has been missed. Emmeline Pankhurst would have been a great way of recognising the vital step forward in 1918, when (limited) votes for women were introduced. This was the moment when Britain became a modern democracy.
The suffragettes were not just tackling an abstract inequality. They knew that votes would be the first step to improving the education, health, welfare and safety of women, girls and children. The male parliament had repeatedly let them down over the previous 40 years. Yet the recent media coverage of the centenary of their activities has been paltry. The courage and daring of the suffragettes, which led to the entitlements we have today, are not celebrated. Thank goodness for Danny Boyle.
Vivien Bailey
St Albans, Hertfordshire		The suffragettes were not just tackling an abstract inequality. They knew that votes would be the first step to improving the education, health, welfare and safety of women, girls and children. The male parliament had repeatedly let them down over the previous 40 years. Yet the recent media coverage of the centenary of their activities has been paltry. The courage and daring of the suffragettes, which led to the entitlements we have today, are not celebrated. Thank goodness for Danny Boyle.
Vivien Bailey
St Albans, Hertfordshire
• Do let us have parity for women on banknotes, but why "even" Octavia Hill as a candidate (Letters, 27 July)? Octavia Hill's work benefited men, women and children and continues today. Octavia pioneered social housing and encouraged all her tenants to develop their skills in order to live fulfilled lives, however low their incomes.• Do let us have parity for women on banknotes, but why "even" Octavia Hill as a candidate (Letters, 27 July)? Octavia Hill's work benefited men, women and children and continues today. Octavia pioneered social housing and encouraged all her tenants to develop their skills in order to live fulfilled lives, however low their incomes.
She cofounded the National Trust and coined the term green belt. Her Kyrle Society, supported by William Morris, was the forerunner of the Civic Trust; her training of housing managers led directly to the Chartered Institute of Housing; and she made key contributions to modern social work and occupational therapy. Her focus on "a hand up rather than a handout" was controversial, but is still an appropriate debate today. However, few have heard of her. Appearing on our banknotes would be a great way to change that now. This social pioneer is a worthy successor to Elizabeth Fry.
Pam Alexander
Dunsfold, Surrey 		She cofounded the National Trust and coined the term green belt. Her Kyrle Society, supported by William Morris, was the forerunner of the Civic Trust; her training of housing managers led directly to the Chartered Institute of Housing; and she made key contributions to modern social work and occupational therapy. Her focus on "a hand up rather than a handout" was controversial, but is still an appropriate debate today. However, few have heard of her. Appearing on our banknotes would be a great way to change that now. This social pioneer is a worthy successor to Elizabeth Fry.
Pam Alexander
Dunsfold, Surrey 
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