So with this verb the "a" suffix connotes a female

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1

So with this verb the “a” suffix connotes a female speaker? Is this universally true in Russian?

2

The a ending means the performer of the verb is female. You can ask a question to a female

For example:
вчера ты ходила в школу?

Then the answer from the girl would be:
Да я ходила в школу

3

@weazardofinance

Yes, the ending the past tense indicates the gender (-ла = feminine / -ло = neuter -л = masculine ) or plural (– ли) of the person doing the action.

This this universally true in Russian… apart from a few masculine exceptions e.g “Can” ; я могу = I can, я мог (masculine past), я могла (feminine past)