A celebration will be held tomorrow (Friday, December 14) to mark 100 years of women having the right to vote.

2018 marks the 100 year anniversary of the Representation of the People Act which gave all men over the age of 21, and property-owning women over 30, the right to vote in elections.

Although suffrage wasn’t granted to all women until 1928, this was a huge step forward and the anniversary is being commemorated by Gloucestershire County Councillors Lesley Williams, Kathy Williams and Suzanne Williams with an afternoon tea at Shire Hall.

They will celebrate the achievements of local women such as Dame Janet Trotter and shirt maker Emma Willis. A number of women who have celebrated their 18th or 100th birthdays this year will also be invited.

Leader of the Labour group, Councillor Lesley Williams, said: “1918 was an incredibly important year when we think about women’s rights.

“I’m delighted to be able to host this event and bring together women born in the year that the Act was passed, young women who now have the right to vote, and inspiring local women who have succeeded in what is still very much a man’s world.”

Cllr Suzanne Williams (Lib Dem, Hesters Way and Springbank) said: “It’s important this is a cross-party event as women in all political parties have a responsibility to pave the way for the next generation. We’ve come a long way but there’s still work to do.

"There are only 10 women out of 53 on the council and that’s simply not representative of the society in which we live.”

Cllr Kathy Williams (Con, Longlevens) said: “December 14 1918 was the first general election in which women were eligible to vote. It’s fantastic we are commemorating this important anniversary exactly 100 years to the day that women were able to exercise that right for the first time."

If you know a woman who has or will be celebrating her 100th or 18th birthday this year, and who would be interested in attending the tea party, contact Eleanor.mccloskey@gloucestershire.gov.uk.