The suffragette flag will fly over Epsom’s market place annually on Derby Day to thank women who fought for the vote.
The council decision coincides with the recent centenary of the death of suffragette Emily Davison who was trampled to death under the King’s horse.
The great-granddaughter of British suffragette movement leader Emmeline Pankhurst was among the experts who spoke at a seminar in Ewell to mark the centenary on Saturday.
On Tuesday councillors, wearing the suffragette colours of purple, green and white, voted at a council meeting to raise the flag every year.
Australian MP Frances Bedford as suffragette Muriel Matters and Irene Cookroft as suffragette Ernestine Mills at the seminar in Ewell
Councillor Jean Smith, who proposed the motion, said: “Arguably senior positions for women would never have happened without the legacy of the suffragettes in general and the death here in Epsom in 1913 of Emily Davison.”
Seconder Councillor Anna Jones said: "A century ago the suffragette movement campaigned for equality for the right to vote, and we are all immensely grateful for their efforts, their sacrifices.
“They were heroic and I feel a personal pride in what they achieved. I hope I could have been so brave.”
On Saturday notable speakers discussed the suffragette movement during a seminar at Bourne Hall, which is holding an exhibition called Dying for the Vote in Ewell.
Australian MP Frances Bedford with the grille which suffragette Muriel Matters chained herself to
Helen Pankhurst, the great- granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst, sparked interest with a debate on the position of women today and historian Tim Richardson spoke about policing suffragette activism.
Australian MP Frances Bedford dressed as suffragette Muriel Matters and talked about the history of the suffragette best known for chaining herself to a grille at the House of Commons.
Dying for the Vote curator Irene Cockroft dressed as her great-aunt Ernestine Mills, who was an artist in the suffrage movement.
Ms Cockroft said Ms Mills’ daughter, Dr Hermia Mills, did not know how to view her mother’s activism because the Government reviled suffragettes so much back then.
She said: “Her daughter was like a mother to me. At that time she did not know whether to be proud or ashamed of her mother being a suffragette.”
MP Frances Bedford, Mari Takayanagi from the Parliamentary Archives and curator Irene Cookroft
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