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My Story: Girls
Suffragette: The Diary of Dollie Baxter, London, 1909-1913
18th June, 1910
We marched from the Embankment to the Albert Hall. It was a glorious day. The sun shone warmly. Everyone was in good spirits. There were aristocrats, artists, even my mother looked happy. She who has been so opposed to my work with the WSPU. More than 10,000 people had rallied and there were dozens of bands playing. It was quite incredible. We waved banners, carried flowers, sang along with the tunes. Hundreds who have been imprisoned for our Cause marched together in a powerful band. It was all very rousing of spirit. I felt proud to be a woman, proud to be alive, proud to be a part of a movement that is fighting to make a difference.
We marched from the Embankment to the Albert Hall. It was a glorious day. The sun shone warmly. Everyone was in good spirits. There were aristocrats, artists, even my mother looked happy. She who has been so opposed to my work with the WSPU. More than 10,000 people had rallied and there were dozens of bands playing. It was quite incredible. We waved banners, carried flowers, sang along with the tunes. Hundreds who have been imprisoned for our Cause marched together in a powerful band. It was all very rousing of spirit. I felt proud to be a woman, proud to be alive, proud to be a part of a movement that is fighting to make a difference.
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 2003
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621 people want to read
About the author
Carol Drinkwater
42 books437 followersCarol Drinkwater is an Anglo-Irish actress, author and filmmaker.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 1, 2019
A well written and informative story of a time that should not be forgotten. The one real time that women of all classes really grouped together to fight for equal rights of women.
February 12, 2017
This review is featured on my blog: Writerly Bookish Stuff.
Although Dollie and her diary are fictional, Drinkwater uses factual people and events of the Suffragette movement in London. If it was a historical fiction story without the diary layout, I would have preferred it more. I'm not a huge lover of diary narratives, and prefer them to be real memoirs, not fictional. That being said, it is an absorbing way to learn about the Suffragette movement, especially for the young adult audience it is targeted at.
I already know quite a lot about the events in this book and believe Drinkwater has integrated them with Dollie's life and experiences masterfully. As a child, Dollie, by sheer good fortune, is plucked from a life of poverty and taken in by Lady Violet. Her background story makes her need to join the WSPU all that more believable. At just fourteen, she joins the WSPU, and her reactions and frustrations to certain events, unpassed bills, and treatment of the political prisoners are replicated in the reader.
In summary, an informative read to educate young adult readers in the Suffragette movement in London.
Although Dollie and her diary are fictional, Drinkwater uses factual people and events of the Suffragette movement in London. If it was a historical fiction story without the diary layout, I would have preferred it more. I'm not a huge lover of diary narratives, and prefer them to be real memoirs, not fictional. That being said, it is an absorbing way to learn about the Suffragette movement, especially for the young adult audience it is targeted at.
I already know quite a lot about the events in this book and believe Drinkwater has integrated them with Dollie's life and experiences masterfully. As a child, Dollie, by sheer good fortune, is plucked from a life of poverty and taken in by Lady Violet. Her background story makes her need to join the WSPU all that more believable. At just fourteen, she joins the WSPU, and her reactions and frustrations to certain events, unpassed bills, and treatment of the political prisoners are replicated in the reader.
In summary, an informative read to educate young adult readers in the Suffragette movement in London.
December 2, 2008
"So you dream of being a suffragist, Dollie?"
"No, I intend to be a suffragette." . . .
"We of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies, the NUWSS, are suffragists, Dollie, not suffragettes. We advocate legal means of campaigning such as parliamentary lobbying, whereas the more militant activists, those in the WSPU, . . . are the women the Daily Mail dubbed "suffragettes."
"No, I intend to be a suffragette." . . .
"We of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies, the NUWSS, are suffragists, Dollie, not suffragettes. We advocate legal means of campaigning such as parliamentary lobbying, whereas the more militant activists, those in the WSPU, . . . are the women the Daily Mail dubbed "suffragettes."
November 30, 2020
This was a very interesting amazing book and I loved that us women stayed strong and never quit even thought they got chucked in jail, beat up, molested by police. It just shows that we will never stop fighting for what we want
December 28, 2022
Even after reading Twentieth-Century Girl, the connection between Flora and Dollie is a bit far-fetched. Dollie has a tiresome personality and is always thinking in black-and-white.
July 9, 2021
While this is educational and informative, I think the story is incredibly lacking and stale.
An amazing opportunity for a real connection was presented and missed. We do not get to know Dollie in any aspect of her personality other than that aspect of her which believes in militant tactics to earn a vote.
The diary was too matter of fact, with dolly offering a sentence or two of her own opinions after very informative and historically accurate entries, especially in Dollys younger years, where she would have and should have been more excited about little things and using her diary for everyday life things more.
I do think the coming-of-age aspect is good, and there is a clear development of Dollie from immature to a bit less immature. Saying that, she doesnt have a real character development. Her life plan stays the same over the years, her views stay the same, her personality and stubbornness stay the same. So while it does have a little bit of maturing, I wouldnt go near the concept of a Bildungsroman. She gets and receives other opinions (mostly her mothers and Floras), but never does anything about these opinions and never even debates them against her own. She is simply right and that is the end of it. I acknowledge that she does have that strong views, but there is no real basis set for those strong views. Yes, her mother was abused and she believes the working class should have a vote to prevent some of these incidents, but her belief against peaceful protesting rather than militant is completly undeveloped and there is no time given to a true rationalisation of that belief.
Overall, I really did not enjoy this book and did not really gain any additional insight into the lives of the suffragettes or suffragists.
An amazing opportunity for a real connection was presented and missed. We do not get to know Dollie in any aspect of her personality other than that aspect of her which believes in militant tactics to earn a vote.
The diary was too matter of fact, with dolly offering a sentence or two of her own opinions after very informative and historically accurate entries, especially in Dollys younger years, where she would have and should have been more excited about little things and using her diary for everyday life things more.
I do think the coming-of-age aspect is good, and there is a clear development of Dollie from immature to a bit less immature. Saying that, she doesnt have a real character development. Her life plan stays the same over the years, her views stay the same, her personality and stubbornness stay the same. So while it does have a little bit of maturing, I wouldnt go near the concept of a Bildungsroman. She gets and receives other opinions (mostly her mothers and Floras), but never does anything about these opinions and never even debates them against her own. She is simply right and that is the end of it. I acknowledge that she does have that strong views, but there is no real basis set for those strong views. Yes, her mother was abused and she believes the working class should have a vote to prevent some of these incidents, but her belief against peaceful protesting rather than militant is completly undeveloped and there is no time given to a true rationalisation of that belief.
Overall, I really did not enjoy this book and did not really gain any additional insight into the lives of the suffragettes or suffragists.
March 3, 2022
The story was incredibly moving but I have one issue with it : it almost completely ignores the fact that the suffragettes started fires and never mentions the bombs they set off - I think a better ending would have been for Dollie to realise in the end that maybe Flora was right to remain non-violent - while I can understand them throwing stones etc. injuring and killing people was a step too far and the book ignores this aspect of the movement in favour of trying to make the point that the suffragettes were good people who fought for a worthy cause - and they were, but some of them went too far.
I loved the fact that we find out why Dollie was so passionate about women's rights. The book isnt only about the oppression of women but also the state that the poorer people were living in - we even read the wealthier suffragettes were treated far better in prison than their less fortunate sisters.
This is the first time I've learned anything much about the suffragettes so the book has had a big impact on me
Ultimately, the book was educational, easy to read and made me appreciate the terrible that those women went through for the rights we enjoy today. RIP Emily Wilding Davison
I loved the fact that we find out why Dollie was so passionate about women's rights. The book isnt only about the oppression of women but also the state that the poorer people were living in - we even read the wealthier suffragettes were treated far better in prison than their less fortunate sisters.
This is the first time I've learned anything much about the suffragettes so the book has had a big impact on me
Ultimately, the book was educational, easy to read and made me appreciate the terrible that those women went through for the rights we enjoy today. RIP Emily Wilding Davison
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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November 12, 2012This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.
April 15, 2016
I read this some years ago. I remember being very moved by it and feeling it was a part of history that wasn't brought to the attention of children enough. I think I convinced one of my sons to read it too because at the time he was reading anything and everything historical.
I thought this book was clear, positive and informative about history and the fact women had to work very hard to get the vote.
I thought this book was clear, positive and informative about history and the fact women had to work very hard to get the vote.
June 13, 2015
This is the first book in the 'My Story' series that I have read and based on this book, it will not be the last in the series I will read!
I feel like I have learned more about suffragettes (and suffragists) and their methods, values and ideas. I don't think that Dollie's story isn't entirely believable but hey... It's fiction.
I feel like I have learned more about suffragettes (and suffragists) and their methods, values and ideas. I don't think that Dollie's story isn't entirely believable but hey... It's fiction.
August 14, 2017
I love the topic but the book is simply boring and monotonous and reading it was a very tedious experience. So sad, because I'd love to read something good about the suffragette movement and the fight for women's rights.
June 21, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this fictionalised account of a true story about the Suffragette movement. Dollie Baxter aged fourteen and a half is the only daughter of a working class family whose Father died when she was only ten years old. Her Mother decided to ask a lady of gentry named Lilly Violet to take her in as she wanted a better life than she would have if she were to live with her.
Unfortunately Lilly dies and her daughter Flora becomes Dollie's guardian and money was left in trust from Lilly for when Dollie becomes of age.
Dollie gets involved with the suffragette movement whose union was called WSPU which is the women's social & political union which was formed in 1903 in Manchester and was a militant union. Emmeline Pankhurst and her two daughters, Christabel a law student and Sylvia a socialist and artist were all militans. Their flag/banner colours represented the following:- Purple stands for dignity. White stands for purity and green stands for hope.
The other Union was known as NUWSS in 1897 and is the national union of women's suffrage and this was a law abiding union. Suffrage means the right to vote.
In the early 1900's Melbourne was the last state on the Australian continent to concede and give women the vote.
Journalist and writers always used the phrase "The abyss or the people of the abyss." Which describes the conditions of the life of the poor in this country. Children of the working class went to work aged as young as eight or nine years old in order to put food on their families plates.
The militant suffragettes who were caught were placed inside prison and some went on hunger strike and were force fed their food via a tube which was very likely to be unsterilised leading to infections. They were also treated as second and third class prisoners and not as political prisoners which meant that their privileges were taken away from them.
The Suffragette movement started in 1903 and ended in 1919. They not only wanted votes for women but equality alongside men. It was only until 1928 did women get the right to vote and were over the age of twenty-one.
One suffragette Emily Davison stepped out in front of a horse at the Derby and was killed. She was a martyr to the cause aged only forty one years old.
Unfortunately Lilly dies and her daughter Flora becomes Dollie's guardian and money was left in trust from Lilly for when Dollie becomes of age.
Dollie gets involved with the suffragette movement whose union was called WSPU which is the women's social & political union which was formed in 1903 in Manchester and was a militant union. Emmeline Pankhurst and her two daughters, Christabel a law student and Sylvia a socialist and artist were all militans. Their flag/banner colours represented the following:- Purple stands for dignity. White stands for purity and green stands for hope.
The other Union was known as NUWSS in 1897 and is the national union of women's suffrage and this was a law abiding union. Suffrage means the right to vote.
In the early 1900's Melbourne was the last state on the Australian continent to concede and give women the vote.
Journalist and writers always used the phrase "The abyss or the people of the abyss." Which describes the conditions of the life of the poor in this country. Children of the working class went to work aged as young as eight or nine years old in order to put food on their families plates.
The militant suffragettes who were caught were placed inside prison and some went on hunger strike and were force fed their food via a tube which was very likely to be unsterilised leading to infections. They were also treated as second and third class prisoners and not as political prisoners which meant that their privileges were taken away from them.
The Suffragette movement started in 1903 and ended in 1919. They not only wanted votes for women but equality alongside men. It was only until 1928 did women get the right to vote and were over the age of twenty-one.
One suffragette Emily Davison stepped out in front of a horse at the Derby and was killed. She was a martyr to the cause aged only forty one years old.
January 18, 2019
First off I am not going to lie, I honestly didn’t like this book at all, the author clearly knows how to write and to tell a story but for me this was just not something I enjoyed reading.
I didn’t like Dollie Baxter the protagonist in the story one little bit. I felt she was a horrible person, ungrateful, very dull and unfeeling. She wasn’t very rational and didn’t consider anyone else’s point of view for anything at all, she was highly selfish and that’s what initially threw me off enjoying this book at all.
The story was set around a poor girl who had been taken in by a rich old lady, when she died her caring and sweet granddaughter continued her care and to help pursue the education her grandmother wanted for her. But as the suffragette movement continued used to rise she is drawn into their world, enrolling in the bad and illegal behaviours of the others within the group. She wound herself imprisoned for her illegal acts and soon sees even high actions taken with highly unethical and illegal actions taken.
I went into this book excited, it had been one I wanted to read for a while now, but alas I just couldn’t bring myself to enjoy what I was reading at all. There were minor parts that weren’t so bad and that I enjoyed a bit, but generally this book was certainly not one for me.
I didn’t like Dollie Baxter the protagonist in the story one little bit. I felt she was a horrible person, ungrateful, very dull and unfeeling. She wasn’t very rational and didn’t consider anyone else’s point of view for anything at all, she was highly selfish and that’s what initially threw me off enjoying this book at all.
The story was set around a poor girl who had been taken in by a rich old lady, when she died her caring and sweet granddaughter continued her care and to help pursue the education her grandmother wanted for her. But as the suffragette movement continued used to rise she is drawn into their world, enrolling in the bad and illegal behaviours of the others within the group. She wound herself imprisoned for her illegal acts and soon sees even high actions taken with highly unethical and illegal actions taken.
I went into this book excited, it had been one I wanted to read for a while now, but alas I just couldn’t bring myself to enjoy what I was reading at all. There were minor parts that weren’t so bad and that I enjoyed a bit, but generally this book was certainly not one for me.
August 8, 2021
This book is a diary from an Edwardian Girl in 1909-1913, It follows the story of Dollie and her life as a suffragette.
Suffragette is a book about a 14 year old girl called Dollie who is swept in the thrill of the campaign for Votes for Women. Hunger Strikes start for the women who are imprisoned who put their own lives in danger. The movement for votes for women become violent and Dollie needs to decide how much she will go for ‘Deeds, not words’.
One of my favourite part of the book is when Dollie meets a girl named Flora. Dollie no longer lives with her family so Flora and Dollie decide to be sisters. Flora is always taking care of Dollie like a real sister. I recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about history and books based back in time (1800, 1900). And if they like reading in a Diary format and like reading a short novel.
Suffragette is a book about a 14 year old girl called Dollie who is swept in the thrill of the campaign for Votes for Women. Hunger Strikes start for the women who are imprisoned who put their own lives in danger. The movement for votes for women become violent and Dollie needs to decide how much she will go for ‘Deeds, not words’.
One of my favourite part of the book is when Dollie meets a girl named Flora. Dollie no longer lives with her family so Flora and Dollie decide to be sisters. Flora is always taking care of Dollie like a real sister. I recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about history and books based back in time (1800, 1900). And if they like reading in a Diary format and like reading a short novel.
December 28, 2025
This book taught me new things I didn't know, for example there were two groups: the suffragettes and the suffragists. The suffragists were more militant with their approaches. It also showed how hard women fought just to have the same rights as men. I couldn't believe that women 21+ (regardless of their qualifications) didn't get the right to vote until 1928. This book made me cry and showed the hardships that women went through (especially of those at working class) just to be treated the same as men. For example, being force-fed if they went on a hunger strike in prison (especially with the lower classes) and how this was unsterilised and wrong. Definitely recommend this book!!
Rating: 5⭐️
Rating: 5⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2021
This book told the story of a young suffragette and how she joined the fight to give women the vote. Dollie is keeping a diary and recording many of the key events in timeline and some of the horrors she had to face. The perspective in this story is of a young fighter who believed in the militant protests but also explores how many women preferred the less violent and illegal acts. This is a very important part of our history and this book is written in a way that is clear and easy to follow and will help educate the youth of today.
September 22, 2023
Following the death of her Patron Lady Violet, fourteen-year-old Dollie Baxter starts writing all her thoughts and feelings in her diary. When Dollie meets her new guardian Flora she is introduced to a whole new world of women's rights; unlike Violet and Flora, Dollie is determined to become a Suffragette and not a Suffragist.
I wish that Dollie had listened to Flora's advice a bit more because her actions ultimately led her into trouble; also as her guardian Flora would have been able to pay her bail against Dollie's wishes so I cant understand why she didn't do it.
I wish that Dollie had listened to Flora's advice a bit more because her actions ultimately led her into trouble; also as her guardian Flora would have been able to pay her bail against Dollie's wishes so I cant understand why she didn't do it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2023
On my Year 6 'To Borrow' shelf. A likeable heroine who by use of the story is able to give some information about the poorest in society and the most comfortable. I loved the instruction from Mrs Partridge the Headteacher to "Remember to deport yourself in the manner of a young lady who is both educated and respectfully modest". It gives a clear understanding of the 2 strands to womens' suffrage between 1909 and 1913, explaining the NUWSS and WSPU appropriately for UKS2 children.
September 19, 2024
Dollie Baxter apparently is a fictional character. I would have liked it mentioned in the book as I started to question everything else, but that seems to be true.
Dollie's story is a bit like a fairy tale. I get that is meant to link the rich and the poor, but there should have been better options out there.
We all women owe a massive thanks to all the other women who fought for our rights and continue to do so until this day.
Dollie's story is a bit like a fairy tale. I get that is meant to link the rich and the poor, but there should have been better options out there.
We all women owe a massive thanks to all the other women who fought for our rights and continue to do so until this day.
October 10, 2024
I liked Dollie's consistency.
I liked the narration that didn't waste time and words describing extraneous and unimportant things.
I liked the cause that Dollie put her devotion behind.
I liked the balance that Flora, as the antagonist, brought to the instances of extremism that sometimes accompanied Dollie's convictions and drove her passions
Most of all I liked that I never read any foul utterances.
I liked the narration that didn't waste time and words describing extraneous and unimportant things.
I liked the cause that Dollie put her devotion behind.
I liked the balance that Flora, as the antagonist, brought to the instances of extremism that sometimes accompanied Dollie's convictions and drove her passions
Most of all I liked that I never read any foul utterances.
September 21, 2020
When i was in grade 6, the student teacher in my class and I used to talk constantly about books when we weren't doing classwork. At the end of the year i was awarded two books for my high grades in english class, and she recommended this one. I think this book had a very big role in my being a massive feminist today and i will always treasure it for that.
December 12, 2024
I can see what this book is trying to do.
But we are told historical things through the dialogue that make the dialogue extremely unnatural. The characters are just lecturing us in the guise of having s conversation.
The narrative also jumps from the present tense to the past tense, which takes the attention away from the story.
The characters feel quite flat.
It's a shame.
But we are told historical things through the dialogue that make the dialogue extremely unnatural. The characters are just lecturing us in the guise of having s conversation.
The narrative also jumps from the present tense to the past tense, which takes the attention away from the story.
The characters feel quite flat.
It's a shame.
September 21, 2025
found dollies story very interesting, I can't remember when I was told what the suffragettes did, so I could vote. but I am so greatful for all they did. the story line was very interesting. I do like that they had a part about Emily and the kings horse as this has always come to mind whenever someone says about suffragettes.
November 26, 2024
A truly remarkable book, rarely do I pick up a book and then put it down solely because I have finished it because I like to have little breaks and read a dozen books at once. But, this book I couldn't take my eyes off.
April 11, 2018
It was alright
August 25, 2019
First person narrative diary of a budding suffragette.
September 29, 2019
Woman in powering
March 8, 2020
Bloody loved it. Full of everything for me.
December 15, 2020
Very sweet book but very educational! Really enjoyed this. Glad I got it in the charity shop!
June 18, 2021
An interesting and informative story set during some of the most eventful years of the suffragette struggle, told from the perspective of fourteen-year-old Dollie Baxter.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews