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Charlotte Despard: suffragist, communist, Irish republican
Taking up social work after being widowed transformed a Victorian liberal into a lifelong fighter for causes as wide-ranging as Sinn Fein and Indian independence to the right of women to drink in pubs, writes MAT COWARD
ICON OF STRUGGLE: Charlotte Despard speaks to a crowd in Trafalgar Square, June 1910

THE right to a pint was one of the campaigns taken up by the Women’s Freedom League during the first world war. Wartime saw an influx of female customers into Britain’s pubs.

Many women had spare money for the first time, as they had taken over higher-paid industrial jobs previously held by the men who were now away fighting.

Besides, a couple of hours in a warm, friendly pub must have been a lot more enticing than spending a lonely evening at home, worrying about or even mourning the missing husband, brother or son.

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