The Suffragettes and how they can Influence the Modern Day Professional

The Suffragette movement, a pivotal campaign for women's rights in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, holds enduring significance for me. I have noted that the Suffragettes’ fight for agency, equality, and systemic change mirrors many of the challenges and opportunities individuals face in their careers today and by examining the movement through the lens of a careers professional, we can draw important lessons for navigating and shaping our professional lives.

The Power of Agency: Taking Control of Your Path

At its core, the Suffragette movement was about reclaiming agency—the ability to make choices and influence outcomes. The Suffragettes did not wait for society to grant them rights; they actively pursued and demanded change. In today's career landscape, we must take ownership of our own career paths, seek opportunities, acquire new skills, and navigating challenges proactively rather than passively accepting the circumstances that come our way. Just as the Suffragettes took bold steps to secure their rights, professionals today should be proactive in managing their own careers. This might involve continuous learning, networking, or seeking mentorship to navigate the evolving job market. The movement teaches us that waiting for opportunities can lead to stagnation; instead, creating and pursuing opportunities is essential for career growth.

Creating Systemic Change: Pushing for Inclusive and Equitable Workplaces

The Suffragettes’ ultimate goal was not just personal advancement but systemic change—redefining society and legal structures to be more inclusive. This ambition is mirrored in modern efforts to create more equitable workplaces including the importance of organisations being inclusive, meritocratic, and supportive of diverse talent. The Suffragettes remind us that achieving these ideals often requires persistent effort and a willingness to challenge the status quo and that meaningful change often starts with advocacy. This means pushing for policies and practices that promote equality, such as equitable pay, diversity initiatives, and inclusive leadership. Professionals at all levels can learn from the Suffragettes’ commitment to advocacy by championing these causes within their organisations and industries.

Collective Action: The Role of Networks in Career Success

The movement was not just about individual effort; it was about collective action and advocacy. Women banded together to amplify their voices, demonstrating the power of networks in achieving goals. In modern day context this aligns with the idea that building strong professional networks and engaging in collective advocacy can be crucial for career advancement. Networking and collaboration are essential components of career development, offering support, opportunities, and the strength to initiate change. Look to see what staff networks exist within your organisation, join them, contribute to them and see the collective change you can make.

Applying Suffragette Principles to our Career Development

The movement’s emphasis on agency, overcoming structural barriers, the power of networks, and the pursuit of systemic change are all relevant to the modern-day workplace and career development today. By applying these principles, we can take control of our own career path, advocate for ourselves and others, and contribute to creating more equitable and inclusive workplaces.

The legacy of the Suffragettes continues to inspire, reminding me that the pursuit of professional and societal equality is an ongoing process, one that requires both individual initiative and collective action. In our careers, as in life, we can draw on the Suffragettes' example to build not just our own success, but a better, fairer world for everyone.