More information : No. 144 High Holborn, London, was the headquarters of the Women's Freedom League (WFL) from 1915 until around 1961. The WFL was initially established as an organisation which campaigned for women's right to vote.
The WFL was founded in 1907 by a group of women who broke away from the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU). Following their formation, the WFL stated in its constitution that it would act independently of all political parties and while they were a militant organization they would not engage in injury or attack to people or property. Militancy according to the WFL was essentially, '..any protest without violence that involved the risk of imprisonment.' The WFL was also interested in repealing all barriers to women's emancipation and not just enfranchisement, unlike the WSPU.
With the outbreak of the First World War, the WFL stopped all militant activities and focussed their work on social reform. They celebrated the passing of the Representation of the People Act in 1918 which enfranchised some women over 30, however they continued their campaign for enfranchisement on equal terms with men. Other issues they campaigned for included the opening up of all professions to women, for women to receive equal pay to men, that women should be able to retain their nationality through marriage, and, that women peers should be able to sit and vote in the House of Lords.
The WFL continued to work as a feminist lobbying society until 1961. (1)
The Women's Freedom League is registered at this address in the Post Office London Directory of 1918. (2)
The Women's Freedom League is registered at this address in the Post Office London Directory of 1957. (3)
According to Cherry and Pevsner, Nos. 139-144 High Holborn was built in 1959-62 by L. Blease and J.A. Rawlinson. They described it as '...a straightforward tower block.' In 2003 it was occupied by Nationwide Building Society. (4)
No. 144 High Holborn which was occupied by the WFL must have been demolished in 1959-1962, since according to Cherry and Pevsner, this was when a tower block was built on the site. (5)
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