1912. Britain suffragettes torpedoes loud cry - "The right to vote for women". Their voice was inaudible yet, but aggressive police actions meant that women no longer afraid and began to loudly demand their rights. The epicenter of the action Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) becomes London. He lives in the Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan), a wife and mother whose husband, Sonny (Ben Whishaw), operates a laundry service. Startled by the sudden demonstration, Maud realizes that among the protesters is her colleague Violet Miller (Anne-Marie Duff). This event makes Maud decides to change his life, both on a professional and private.
It is not alone. Attaches to brave, liberated women, determined to fight for their rights. Grass-roots efforts to support, among others, Pharmacist Edith Ellyn (Helena Bonham Carter) and Alice Haughton (Romola Garai), coordinating activities WSPU. To prove that faith in the new order Maud is strong, she takes part in a protest, rozgromionym brutally by the police. Maud goes to jail, just about everyone learns her husband. Soon, he meets famous Maud Emmeline Pankhurst (Meryl Streep), the founder of WSPU, the real leader of that speech spur women to take action.
Maud decision to change her life, will also provide that will have an impact on the fate of all women. Persecuted at every turn by the inspector Steed (Brendan Gleeson), take up the challenge and start a hard fight for what belongs to every person, regardless of gender.