Emmeline Pankhurst
Background
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Emmeline was born on the 15th
of July 1858
She was the oldest girl of 10
children.
Her father, Robert Goulden was
a successful business man with
strong political beliefs. He took
part in campaigns against
slavery.
Her mother Jane was a feminist
and began taking Emily to
meetings when she was very
young.
Early Years
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Emmeline was described as very intelligent and was able
to read at age 3
Emmeline’s father said "What a pity she wasn't born a
lad.“ This made Emily angry as her father felt education
was important for her brothers, but sent her sisters and
her to a boarding school that mainly taught skills that
would enable them to become good wives.
By aged 15, Emmeline convinced her parents to send
her to a modern women's school in Paris. When she
returned five years later, she could speak French and
had learned not only sewing and embroidery, but
chemistry and bookkeeping.
Marriage and Family
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At age 21 Emmeline married Richard Pankhurst who was
over 40
They had five children, 3 girls and 2 boys.
In 1898, Emmeline became a widow at age 40 and
discovered her husband had left her with lots of bills.
At this time women were not given the same benefit or
pension as a man whose wife died. This made
Emmeline Pankhurst decide to fight for votes for women
because she knew they would never be treated fairly
unless they gained some say over the law.
Women's Social and Political Union
(WSPU).
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In October 1903, Emmeline founded the
Women's Social and Political Union
(WSPU).
Their motto was "Votes for Women,“ and
only women could join.
Protest and Prison
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In February 1906, Emmeline staged a women's
suffragette rally in London. 400 women took
part and marched to the House of Commons.
This showed that more women would fight for
the right to vote.
In March 1912, Emmeline led a group of
women to throw stones at 10 Downing Street.
They then travelled along streets of London
and smashed department store windows with
hammers.
She was sent to jail for 9 months and took part
in a hunger-strike in protest.
The War
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4th August, 1914, England declared war on
Germany.
On the 10th August the government released all
suffragettes from prison. In return, the WSPU
agreed to end their fight and help with the war.
At the time she said:
“What is the use of fighting for a vote if we have
not got a country to vote in?”
The War
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In 1917 Emmeline and her daughter formed the
Woman’s Party and demanded "equal pay for
equal work, equality of rights and opportunities
in public service, maternity benefits and fairer
marriage laws."
During the war women worked in factories and
did jobs of men such as bus drivers and
postmen.
This change helped women’s rights and in 1918,
women over the age of 30 were given the vote.
Death and Victory
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Emmeline died on 14
June 1928,
Shortly after on 2
July, 1928, women
were granted equal
voting rights with
men.