An exhibition at the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands celebrates 100 years of universal voting rights in the country. Co-curator Egge Knol picks five objects that tell the story.
In the Netherlands, as in so many countries, it took years of tireless campaigning to change the law to allow women to vote.
The Dutch parliament finally passed a law for women's suffrage on 9 May 1919, but the fight began at the end of the 19th-century, with women creating banners, pins and leaflets to publicise their mission.
"Women had to get organised," explained Knol to Dezeen. "To demand attention for their cause, they held street protests and started petitions."
Rallies supported by Dutch artists
The rallies were supported by a number of Dutch artists, who designed badges and symbols that were subsequently used all over the world, such as the International Woman Suffrage Alliance (IWSA) pin with the words 'Jus Suffragii' designed by Johanne Pedersen-Dan. Other campaign material used to advocate for the cause in the Netherlands included posters and doctored postcards of popular paintings with a political message.
The city of Groninger played a role, as the home of key activist and doctor Aletta Jacobs. Fittingly, the museum has gathered paintings, banners, photographs, cartoons and historical documents that show how Jacobs and her fellow campaigners used visual material to send their message.
Struggle! 100 Years of Women's Suffrage runs at the Groninger Museum until 15 ...