Theresa Garnett

Theresa Garnett par Linley Blathwayt

Theresa Garnett (17 May 1888 – 24 May 1966) was a British suffragette and member of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU). She is best known for her militant actions in support of women's suffrage, including an attack on Winston Churchill.

Early Life

Theresa Garnett was born in Bath, Somerset, England. She was educated at a convent school and later trained as a nurse. Garnett became involved in the women's suffrage movement in the early 20th century, joining the WSPU, an organization founded by Emmeline Pankhurst.

Suffragette Activities

Garnett was an active member of the WSPU and participated in various demonstrations and protests. She is most famously known for her attack on Winston Churchill in 1909. On 15 November 1909, Garnett confronted Churchill at the Bristol Temple Meads railway station and struck him with a whip, shouting "Take that, you brute!" This act of militancy was part of the WSPU's campaign to draw attention to the cause of women's suffrage.

Imprisonment and Hunger Strikes

Following her attack on Churchill, Garnett was arrested and sentenced to one month in prison. During her imprisonment, she went on a hunger strike and was subjected to force-feeding, a common practice used on suffragettes who refused to eat while incarcerated. Her actions and the subsequent treatment she received highlighted the harsh measures used against suffragettes and garnered public sympathy for their cause.

Later Life and Legacy

After the Representation of the People Act 1918, which granted suffrage to women over the age of 30 who met minimum property requirements, Garnett continued to be involved in social and political causes. She worked as a nurse during World War I and later focused on various charitable activities.

Theresa Garnett passed away on 24 May 1966. Her contributions to the women's suffrage movement are remembered as part of the broader struggle for women's rights in the United Kingdom.

See Also

• Women's Social and Political Union
• Emmeline Pankhurst
• Winston Churchill
• Hunger strike
• Force-feeding
• Representation of the People Act 1918