Channel 4's New Campaign Celebrates History of Women's Right to Vote

Three centenarian women will take over the Channel 4 continuity mic to mark 100 years since the first women in the UK were granted the right to vote.

Millie, Beattie and Margaret were all born in 1918, the year when the Representation of the People Act gave some women aged over 30 and men older than 21 the right to vote.

As well as providing the links to programmes throughout the week, Beattie, Margaret and Millie will share their experiences of what it’s been like growing up as a woman over the past 100 years. And extended versions of their interviews will go out across Channel 4’s social media platforms using #Vote100. 

Millie will be the first to appear on Channel 4 when she introduces the Film4-backed award-winning movie Suffragette just before 9pm tomorrow (3.2.18).

In addition, an empowering film, specially created to mark the anniversary by Channel 4’s in-house agency 4creative, will play out across Channel 4’s channels. Both initiatives – the 100 year old female continuity announcers and the film – are the brain-child of Channel 4’s in-house creative agency 4creative.

The film, 100 Years and Counting, celebrates the significant progress women have made over the past century. The voice-over lists things women couldn’t do 100 years ago due to law or social attitudes - from voting to driving to wearing a miniskirt - whilst the visuals show women doing said things. The film will culminate with the message that whilst a lot’s changed in the past 100 years, there’s more work to be done.

Jane English, 4creative Business Director and co-chair of 4Women - Channel 4’s gender equality network, said of the film: 

‘The centenary of women’s right to vote is a milestone moment for gender equality. We wanted to celebrate how much has changed for women over 100 years, whilst acknowledging battles that are yet to be won. ‘ 

In addition to the 100-year-old women taking over the continuity mic during the course of a week, the film and Channel 4’s social media activity, the Film4-backed, award-winning film Suffragette, written by Abi Morgan, will receive its network premiere on Channel 4 on Saturday 3rd February at 9pm. 

A special episode of The Secret Life of Five Year Olds: All Girls featuring just girls will air on Channel 4 on Tuesday 6th February at 8pm, whilst Clare Balding’s Secrets of a Suffragette will also be shown again on Tuesday 6th at 10pm.