Christina Broom (née Livingston; 28 December 1862 – 5 June 1939) was a pioneering female press photographer.
In 1903, Broom, then at the age of 40, converted her interest in photography into a business to support her family, as her husband Albert was unable to work due to a sporting injury. They lived at 38 Burnfoot Avenue, Fulham with their only child Winifred Margaret, known as Winnie. Broom borrowed a box camera and taught herself to be a commercial photographer, and came to earn a good living at this happy moment, now known as the ‘golden age of the postcard’.
In 1908, hundreds of women were frequently and noisily taking to the streets of the capital, claiming public spaces everywhere to demand the vote. Often within easy traveling distance of the Brooms, the Suffragettes and suffragists were irresistible and photogenic subjects.
It is not known if she sympathized with the demand for women’s suffrage, indeed it may be that Broom saw the historical importance of recording the events rather than taking part in them, but she took publicity pictures of Women’s Sunday in 1908, and the mass march on 23 July 1910, when 10,000 women gathered, the Irish group dressed in green, and on 26 July 1913, women ‘pilgrims’ who had walked from Carlisle to London to support the moderate suffragists. Broom not only took pictures of suffragettes at events and marches but more informal shots throughout their campaign.
Take a look back at the Suffragettes from across Britain through these amazing pictures taken by Broom:
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| Women’s Social and Political Union Exhibition stand, probably at Claxton Hall during the Women’s Parliament, February 1908 |
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| Suffragettes in Hyde Park on Women’s Sunday, June 1908 |
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| Suffragette Charlotte (Charlie) Marsh at Hyde Park rally, 1908 |
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| Nurses and midwives from the Pageant of Women’s Trades and Professions marching to the Albert Hall, April 1909 |
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| Mounted suffragettes taking part in a procession to promote the Women’s Exhibition, May 1909 |
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