Emmeline Pankhurst

Emmeline Pankhurst, seated (1913)

Emmeline Pankhurst (1858–1928) was a British political activist and leader of the British suffragette movement which fought for women's right to vote. She is best remembered for founding the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1903, an organisation famous for its militant tactics. Pankhurst's dedication to the cause of women's suffrage made her a key figure in the history of feminism.

Early Life

Emmeline Pankhurst was born Emmeline Goulden in Manchester, England, on July 14, 1858, into a family with a tradition of radical politics. From a young age, she was introduced to the women's suffrage movement through her parents. She attended the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, where she met her husband, Richard Pankhurst, a lawyer and supporter of the women's suffrage movement.

Activism

In 1903, frustrated by the lack of progress in the fight for women's suffrage, Pankhurst founded the WSPU. The motto of the WSPU was "Deeds, not words," reflecting its members' readiness to take direct action. The WSPU's activities included public demonstrations, hunger strikes, and, controversially, acts of arson and vandalism. Pankhurst's tactics were divisive, admired by many for their effectiveness in drawing attention to the cause but criticized by others who preferred peaceful protest.

Pankhurst was arrested numerous times for her activism and went on hunger strikes, leading to force-feeding by the authorities, which drew public sympathy to the suffragette cause. Her efforts were instrumental in raising awareness and support for women's suffrage in the UK and around the world.

Later Life and Legacy

With the outbreak of World War I, Pankhurst and the WSPU focused their efforts on supporting the war effort, which led to a suspension of militant suffrage activities. In 1918, the Representation of the People Act was passed, granting voting rights to women over the age of 30 who met certain property qualifications. Pankhurst saw this as a partial victory and continued to campaign for equal suffrage for all women, which was eventually achieved in 1928, shortly after her death.

Emmeline Pankhurst died on June 14, 1928, and is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the fight for women's suffrage. Her legacy is celebrated in various ways, including a statue of her in Victoria Tower Gardens, London, unveiled in 1930.

See Also

• Women's suffrage in the United Kingdom
• Suffragette
• Feminism in the United Kingdom