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Nancy Astor, the first woman M. P. to take her seat in the House of Commons
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Nancy Astor, the first woman M. P. to take her seat in the House of Commons
Nancy Astor, the first woman M.P. to take her seat in the House of Commons, seen in 1911 arriving at a recent meet of the Pytchley Hunt. Date: 1911
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Media ID 23372782
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Astor Langhorne May20 Meet Nancy Outfit Pytchley Shaw
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this striking photograph, Nancy Astor, the trailblazing first woman Member of Parliament (MP) to take her seat in the House of Commons, is seen arriving at a Pytchley Hunt meet in 1911. Dressed in the traditional hunting attire of the time, Astor cuts an imposing figure as she mounts her horse, Langhorne Shaw, with an air of confidence and determination. Born in Virginia, USA, in 1879, Astor moved to England in her youth and married Waldorf Astor, the wealthy 2nd Viscount Astor, in 1906. When her husband was elected as the Conservative MP for Plymouth Sutton in 1919, Astor made history by becoming the first woman to take her seat in the House of Commons. Her election came after the Representation of the People Act 1918 granted some women the right to vote and stand for election. Despite facing criticism and skepticism from some quarters, Astor proved to be a formidable parliamentarian, using her platform to advocate for women's rights, education, and social welfare. In this photograph, taken just a few years before her historic election, Astor is shown in her element, demonstrating her skill and expertise as a huntswoman. The image serves as a reminder of her multifaceted identity and the many roles she played in both the private and public spheres. The Pytchley Hunt meet, held in Northamptonshire, was a popular social event for the local gentry and aristocracy. Astor's attendance at the meet underscores her connections to the landed elite and her ability to navigate the complex social landscape of early 20th-century England. This photograph offers a fascinating glimpse into Astor's life before her groundbreaking political career, revealing her as a woman of style, substance, and substance.
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