History department to showcase women’s suffrage film

The British film had a limited release in the United States with Focus Features and was only show in select theaters in 2015.

Kenzie McCoy

Washburn’s history honor society, Phi Alpha Theta, will be hosting an historical movie night with its showing of the film “Suffragette” at 7 p.m. March 30 in Henderson 204.

“The movie is part of historical movie series that Phi Alpha Theta is sponsoring,” said Tom Prasch, chair of the history department. “They show movies once a month.”

Prasch said the history department decided to showcase “Suffragette” during March, Women’s History Month.

The film, which was released in 2015, highlights the working class women of Britain during the late 19th and early 20th century who joined in the activism movements, such as the Women’s Social and Political Union. During this time period, some women participated in the suffragist movement, which fought for women’s rights to vote.

The film features actresses Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter. This film was the first film in history to be shot at the Houses of Parliament.

“The film is unusual and it does very interesting things with direct action,” Prasch said.

Mulligan plays the important activist role of Maud Watts, which was inspired by the real-life movements of Hannah Mitchell, who was a member of the Women’s Social and Political Union. Streep’s role was modeled after the life of real-life activist Emmeline Pankhurst, who was the head of the Women’s Social and Political Union.