Emmeline Pankhurst 1858 – 1928
15 July 1858 – 14 June 1928
Political activist, suffragette.
Education
At a middle-class girls’ school, was aware from an early age that the focus of education for girls was on their domestic responsibilities.
1873 École Normale Supérieure (Paris).
Some Key Achievements and Interests in 19th century and first decade of 20th
1880 Elected to Executive Committee of the Manchester National Society for Women’s Suffrage.
Co-opted on to the Married Women’s Property Committee.
1886 Opened a fancy goods shop to gain financial independence.
1889 Founded the Women’s Franchise League, fighting for local women’s voting rights.
Member of the Fabian Society and the Women’s Liberal Association.
House on Russell Square was a spot for political gatherings especially of socialists, Fabians, anarchists, suffragists, freethinkers, and radicals.’Purvis, June Pankhurst [née Goulden], Emmeline (1858–1928), suffragette leader | Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (oxforddnb.com)
1894 Elected Independent Labour Party (ILP) candidate for the Chorlton board of guardians. 1897 Elected to the national administrative council (NAC) of the ILP.
1903 Formed the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) to campaign for equal voting rights for women.
1909 Organized hunger strikes.
During World War I, supported the government and encouraged women joining industrial efforts.
Founded a nursery and adoption home.
1917 Became treasurer of the Women’s Party (renaming of the WSPU) leading up to some women gaining the right to vote.
Issues
Was expected to play the role of a young lady in her childhood home. This brought her in conflict at times with her mother.
1888 Four-year-old son died after a misdiagnosis.
1898 Husband unexpectedly died leaving little income to support the family. Had to rely on her earnings.
1907 Difference of political opinion amongst Emmeline and her daughters.
Imprisoned multiple times due to the WSPU’s use of militant tactics, the deputations she led, and the speeches she gave.
Connection to Bloomsbury
1888 – 1893 Lived at 8 Russell Square.
Female Networks
Feminist Campaigners and Daughters (Sylvia Pankhurst, Christabel Pankhurst, Adela Pankhurst Walsh). Harriet McIlquham, president of the Women’s Franchise League.
Writing / Publications include:
1907 The Present Position of the Women’s Suffrage Movement in The Case for Women’s Suffrage.
Further Reading:
Oxford Bibliography – Pankhurst [née Goulden], Emmeline
BBC History – Emmeline Pankhurst
Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928) | Towards Emancipation? (unc.edu)
Finding Emmeline Pankhurst – Social Science blog
Wikipedia – Women’s Franchise League
Wikipedia – Emmeline Pankhurst