Emmeline Pankhurst by Kassia Bell McNamara Tully
Emmeline Pankhurst (born Gouldon) in Moss Side ,Manchester on the 14/15 of July 1858. Gouldon ,the eldest of 10 children, grew up in a politically active family and much to her parents delight followed their lead.
In 1878 she married Richard Pankhurst, leader barrister, who at the time was 24 years older than her. Richard Pankhurst was a supporter of women’s suffrage movement. Together they had 5 children ,his death in 1898 was a great shock to Emmeline.
After his death ,she threw herself into the woman’s suffrage movement forming the Women’ Franchise League in 1898.In 1894 she was elected a poor law guardian and she spent her time visiting workhouses in Manchester, becoming aware of the shocking levels of poverty, many faced.
Quotes
"I thought I had been a suffragist before I became a Poor Law Guardian but now I begin to
think about the vote in women’s hands not as a right but as a desperate necessity"
“Human life for us is sacred, but we say if any life is to be sacrificed it shall be ours; we won’t do it ourselves,
but we will put the enemy in the position where they will have to choose between giving us freedom or giving us death.”
In 1903 she formed the more militant Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU). It was through the political action of the WSPU that the term women’s suffragette movement was created. She led a passionate group of women who were willing to take part in drastic action such as tying to railings, smashing windows and launching demonstrations. Pankhurst defended the militant tactics on the grounds that:
Her tactics contrasted with those of the NUWSS and Millicent Fawcett.
The government and establishment were shocked at the tactics of the women and many were arrested. When they went on hunger strike they were force fed or released only to be rearrested – something known as ‘cat and mouse’. In 1912, Emily Pankhurst was convicted or breaking windows and sent to Holloway Prison. In prison she went on hunger strike in protest about the appalling conditions, prisoners were kept in. She described her time in prison. “like a human being in the process of being turned into a wild beast”
In 1913, Emily’s daughter Christabel took leadership of the WPSU, and their tactics became increasingly militant. However, this polarized opinion within the WPSU, and many members left, arguing the violence was counter-productive and damaging the cause. Two of Emily’s other daughters, Adela and Sylvia left the movement creating a rift in the family, which never healed. Due to the increased militancy of the British suffrage movement, public opinion was increasingly polarized. Militant suffragettes were often described as fanatics. In 1913, Emily Davison was killed after throwing herself under the King’s horse.
However, at the outbreak of war in 1914, Emily Pankhurst used her campaigning tactics to support the war effort – and announcing a temporary truce in the women’s suffrage campaign. She considered the menace of German aggression to be the greater threat.
As she said at the time:
What is the use of fighting for a vote if we have not got a country to vote in?
The government and the suffragettes declared a truce and political prisoners were released.
In the war effort, women were drafted into factories and took on many jobs previously the preserve of men such as bus drivers and postmen. The radical social change of the first world war helped to diminish the opposition to women getting the vote; and in 1918, women over the age of 30 were given the vote.
In 1926, she surprised many by joining the Conservative party, and two years later running for Parliament as a Conservative candidate. This was in stark contrast to her earlier political experiences and sympathy with the poor. But, after the Russian revolution she was increasingly concerned by Communism and became more conservative in political views.
In 1928 women were granted equal voting rights with men (at 21). However, in 1928, Emmeline fell ill, and died on 14 June 1928.
Legacy of Emily Pankhurst
There is dispute over the extent to which the militant campaigns, led and inspired by Emily Pankhurst helped or hindered the women’s suffrage movement. Some argue, violence made the establishment more reluctant to agree to their demands, others say it helped raise the profile of the movement and was a factor in helping women gain the vote in 1918. Whatever the merits of her action, she epitomized the passionate belief that women deserved equal rights and helped to give this a higher profile. She lived through an age of rapidly changing opinions about the role of women in society, and ultimately saw women given the vote.
Quote: “Women are very slow to rouse,but once we are aroused, and we are determined, nothing on earth and nothing in heaven can stop us, it’s impossible”
In 1878 she married Richard Pankhurst, leader barrister, who at the time was 24 years older than her. Richard Pankhurst was a supporter of women’s suffrage movement. Together they had 5 children ,his death in 1898 was a great shock to Emmeline.
After his death ,she threw herself into the woman’s suffrage movement forming the Women’ Franchise League in 1898.In 1894 she was elected a poor law guardian and she spent her time visiting workhouses in Manchester, becoming aware of the shocking levels of poverty, many faced.
Quotes
"I thought I had been a suffragist before I became a Poor Law Guardian but now I begin to
think about the vote in women’s hands not as a right but as a desperate necessity"
“Human life for us is sacred, but we say if any life is to be sacrificed it shall be ours; we won’t do it ourselves,
but we will put the enemy in the position where they will have to choose between giving us freedom or giving us death.”
In 1903 she formed the more militant Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU). It was through the political action of the WSPU that the term women’s suffragette movement was created. She led a passionate group of women who were willing to take part in drastic action such as tying to railings, smashing windows and launching demonstrations. Pankhurst defended the militant tactics on the grounds that:
Her tactics contrasted with those of the NUWSS and Millicent Fawcett.
The government and establishment were shocked at the tactics of the women and many were arrested. When they went on hunger strike they were force fed or released only to be rearrested – something known as ‘cat and mouse’. In 1912, Emily Pankhurst was convicted or breaking windows and sent to Holloway Prison. In prison she went on hunger strike in protest about the appalling conditions, prisoners were kept in. She described her time in prison. “like a human being in the process of being turned into a wild beast”
In 1913, Emily’s daughter Christabel took leadership of the WPSU, and their tactics became increasingly militant. However, this polarized opinion within the WPSU, and many members left, arguing the violence was counter-productive and damaging the cause. Two of Emily’s other daughters, Adela and Sylvia left the movement creating a rift in the family, which never healed. Due to the increased militancy of the British suffrage movement, public opinion was increasingly polarized. Militant suffragettes were often described as fanatics. In 1913, Emily Davison was killed after throwing herself under the King’s horse.
However, at the outbreak of war in 1914, Emily Pankhurst used her campaigning tactics to support the war effort – and announcing a temporary truce in the women’s suffrage campaign. She considered the menace of German aggression to be the greater threat.
As she said at the time:
What is the use of fighting for a vote if we have not got a country to vote in?
The government and the suffragettes declared a truce and political prisoners were released.
In the war effort, women were drafted into factories and took on many jobs previously the preserve of men such as bus drivers and postmen. The radical social change of the first world war helped to diminish the opposition to women getting the vote; and in 1918, women over the age of 30 were given the vote.
In 1926, she surprised many by joining the Conservative party, and two years later running for Parliament as a Conservative candidate. This was in stark contrast to her earlier political experiences and sympathy with the poor. But, after the Russian revolution she was increasingly concerned by Communism and became more conservative in political views.
In 1928 women were granted equal voting rights with men (at 21). However, in 1928, Emmeline fell ill, and died on 14 June 1928.
Legacy of Emily Pankhurst
There is dispute over the extent to which the militant campaigns, led and inspired by Emily Pankhurst helped or hindered the women’s suffrage movement. Some argue, violence made the establishment more reluctant to agree to their demands, others say it helped raise the profile of the movement and was a factor in helping women gain the vote in 1918. Whatever the merits of her action, she epitomized the passionate belief that women deserved equal rights and helped to give this a higher profile. She lived through an age of rapidly changing opinions about the role of women in society, and ultimately saw women given the vote.
Quote: “Women are very slow to rouse,but once we are aroused, and we are determined, nothing on earth and nothing in heaven can stop us, it’s impossible”
How well do you know Emmeline Pankhurst?
In which city of England was Emmeline Pankhurst born?
Manchester. She was born in 1858. Her father, Robert Goulding, was a successful businessman with strong political views. Her mother, Sophia Crane, was a passionate feminist, and started taking Emmeline to suffrage meetings when she was only ten years old.
To which European city was Emmeline sent to attend finishing school, at the age of fifteen?
Paris. Although her parents held radical political ideas, they were very conventional when it came to education, and made sure Emmeline had the best education possible.
Emmeline returned to Manchester when she was eighteen, and met her future husband, Richard Pankhurst. What was his profession?
Lawyer. When they married Emmeline was 20 and Richard was 44. They shared very similar beliefs regarding women's suffrage and together helped to form the pressure group, The Women’s Franchise League in 1889.
Emmeline and Richard had five children. Of the surviving four who was the oldest?
Christabel. The Pankhurst’s actually had five children, three daughters and two sons. Both the boys were called Francis, the elder having died in 1888. Christabel was born in 1880, Sylvia was born in 1882, Frank was born in 1884 (dec'd 1888) and Adela was born in 1885. In 1889 another son was born and named Frank in honour of his deceased older brother.
In which year did Emmeline become a "Poor Law Guardian"?
1895. As a guardian, part of her duty was to visit the local workhouse on a regular basis. She was so appalled at the treatment of the women in the workhouse she knew the only way it would stop was through women's suffrage, making her more determined to fight.
Emmeline's husband, Richard, sadly died in 1898. What was the cause of his death?
He had a perforated ulcer. Thankfully, Emmeline did not give up her quest for suffrage after his death, although she did find it difficult at first. She knew that the fight was too important to give up, and became more determined to succeed.
In which year did Emmeline set up the Women's Social and Political Union?
1903. She was helped by her two daughters Christabel and Sylvia. The main aim of the WSPU was to recruit working class women into the struggle for suffrage. The Union's motto was "Deeds, not words", as Emmeline wanted to see some action, rather than holding meetings to simply discuss suffrage.
Not long after the WSPU was founded, the media began to lose interest and stopped printing articles about the Suffragettes. What did they do to get back into the public eye?
Burned down politician's homes. The Suffragettes were constantly arrested for arson attacks, although some of the members of the WSPU did not agree with these methods and left. In prison they began to go on hunger strikes, an idea started by Marion Dunlop in 1909. Eventually the government passed the "Cat and Mouse Act" which meant that when the prisoners became ill from striking, they were sent home. They were then re-arrested when they were well again and sent back to prison to complete the sentence.
Which political party did Emmeline join in 1925?
Conservative Party & Conservative. She also became a candidate for the Conservative Party in the East End of London. It was also around this time she lost contact with her daughter Sylvia. Sylvia hated her mother's softer approach to politics and she resented her mother. When Sylvia had a baby out of wedlock, Emmeline refused to see her daughter or grandchild.
In which year did Emmeline die?
1928. She was seventy years old.