Emmeline Pankhurst is a famous British political activist who became the head of the British suffragette movement. Later, that activity led to women gaining the right to vote.
Londonka.uk will tell you more.
Early years
Our heroine was born on July 15, 1858.
From an early age, the girl was fond of reading. Moreover, she preferred non-childish books, such as Odyssey.
However, contrary to the daughter’s enthusiasm, her parents thought that it was most important for the girl to learn all the secrets of being a good housewife.
It is worth noting that her parents supported the development of women’s suffrage. They simply believed that Emmeline was not capable of achieving any success in this matter.
But, as you know, life always adjusts everything. Thus, Emmeline’s life turned out to be different than her parents had planned.
Her interest in feminism
It is important to note that it was the parents’ support for women’s suffrage that sparked Emmeline’s interest in this sphere.
Emmeline’s mother liked to read feminist magazines. One day, having returned from school, the fourteen-year-old girl saw that her mother was going to a meeting to discuss the topic of women’s suffrage. She asked her mother to take her along.
That’s how Emmeline visited such an event for the first time.
Education
At the age of fifteen, Emmeline arrived in Paris to enter the École Normale de Neuilly. In that school, the girls studied chemistry and accounting, in addition to embroidery and other “women’s arts”.
The beginning of a new activity
The National Society for Women’s Suffrage (NSWS) dissolved in 1888.
Then its outraged members began to create new organisations.
At that time, Emmeline became more and more interested in the topic of women’s rights. She wanted to start something unique and unlike what existed before.
Eventually, she decided to create a new organisation, the Women’s Franchise League (WFL). It was a radical society because, in addition to suffrage, it provided women with support in cases of divorce and violence.
In addition, this organisation advocated the creation of trade unions.
It is worth noting that the above-mentioned activity allowed Emmeline Pankhurst to become a full-fledged independent activist and gain great respect.
Another organisation
On October 10, 1903, Emmeline established the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU).
Only women could become a member of that organisation. Its main goal was to finally achieve the realisation of women’s rights.
This society organised many performances and events. It also actively held rallies and started publishing a newsletter devoted to various aspects of women’s suffrage.
It is worth noting that in the course of her activities, Emmeline Pankhurst, together with other feminists, was repeatedly arrested. Numerous rallies and protests caused the disapproval of the government. Therefore, women periodically ended up in prison.
However, it didn’t stop Emmeline on the way to women’s rights. In addition, she went on hunger strikes and protected herself physically, trying to resist the actions of prison officials.
Later, the WSPU decided to create a special unit of women bodyguards who used jiu-jitsu to protect Emmeline from the police.