Ethel Smyth

Ethel Smyth, born on April 22, 1858, was a pioneering English composer and a prominent figure in the women's suffrage movement. Her diverse body of work includes songs, piano pieces, chamber music, orchestral compositions, choral works, and operas, showcasing her versatility and talent in the realm of music.

Despite her significant contributions, Smyth often faced marginalization as a 'woman composer,' with her works frequently dismissed as less worthy than those of her male counterparts. When she ventured into more delicate compositions, critics were quick to judge them as inferior, further complicating her legacy in a male-dominated field.

Notably, Smyth was the first female composer to be awarded a damehood, a testament to her groundbreaking achievements in music. Her involvement in the suffrage movement was equally remarkable; she was imprisoned in Holloway for her activism, which included breaking windows in protest. Among her notable contributions to the movement is the composition of 'The March of the Women,' an anthem that resonated with suffragettes.