America might not be picking a president in its midterm elections tomorrow, but the votes that its people cast in favour of either the Republican or the Democratic control of Congress have the power to be almost as significant, with the potential to leave an enormous imprint on the political landscape for years to come… Buckle up!

For women, it once wasn't as simple as rocking up to a ballot and putting an ‘X’ in the appropriate box; indeed, in some countries, this is still so far from the reality. That’s why, in light of the vote (and while we, along with the rest of the world, wait on the results with bated breath), we’re looking back with heartfelt gratitude to Emmeline Pankhurst – a woman whose crucial role in paving the way for women to become law-makers with the right to vote can never be underplayed. (Shortly after her death, UK women aged 21 and over were granted equal voting rights with men.)

Forever indebted to her courageous activism, let us always remember her famous sentiment, “We are here, not because we are law-breakers; we are here in our efforts to become law-makers.” And, as voting day looms ever closer stateside, it’s a poignant reminder that we, the people (to lift the words from the U.S. Constitution), boast strength in numbers.  

Also on Because Magazine:

+ Catherine Quin gives multiple meanings to what it means to be a Woman of Purpose.

+ This poignant prose from Coco Chanel sits well with #TeamBecause.

+ We chart a smörgåsbord of styles that cement power dressing as the trend to note for SS19.