Some may disagree and say that this was all in the past and women have the vote now, so why continue to write about it? I argue that we must write stories about the Suffragettes and other feminist movements partly because it shows what heights women have achieved, but it also really does still have an impact on the present day: women would not have the vote and there would be much more inequality had it not been for the suffrage movement. It would be better if more authors wrote about the suffragists or the suffragettes as they were amazing role models for women. Instead of writing about vampires, wizards and werewolves, children’s authors should really think about writing educational yet interesting books for children, such as when Wilson portrayed suffrage history in Opal Plumstead. In my opinion, this is what writers today should really focus their work on. Jacqueline Wilson’s book shows that feminism and equality are very important and that you should fight for what you believe in. This shows another perspective on the suffragettes: how they were seen as brave for speaking out but foolish for the ways they portrayed their beliefs. What stood out for me is that Opal is a very innocent child and her courage shines through when she speaks out and says: “the suffering of the suffragettes is terrible- but they are in a way self-imposed … their actions are surely ineffective”. This gives readers two opinions of the suffragettes at the time. But it is also a balanced book, very sensitive to the complexities of the situation, and therefore does occasionally portray the suffragettes in a negative light as Opal’s mum, who is a traditional woman, is highly against the violent tactics the suffragettes used, calling them “shameful”.

Opal Plumstead plunges into the world of the suffragettes and shows a young girl being convinced to become a suffragette when she is older. They wanted votes because they knew it was such an important step to securing a better standard of living. This is a great topic for International Women’s Day as it is about the women who fought for their right in order to achieve equal votes as men. Although she died four days later, she got the suffragettes noticed by many people worldwide. Emily Davinson, a suffragette, stepped out in front of the King’s horse during the race to show that she was serious about women getting the right to vote. The event that really got everyone talking and supporting the suffragettes, however, was the 1913 Derby. The suffragettes, led by Emmeline Pankhurst, used violent tactics such as window breaking, arson, attacking politicians and more in order to be noticed and to spread their word about Votes for Women to the Liberal government of the time.

Jacqueline wilson opal