Emmeline Pankhurst Emmeline Pankhurst

By Olivia Nelson By Olivia Nelson

Background Background Emmeline was born on the Emmeline was born on the

1515thth of July 1858 of July 1858 She was the oldest girl of 10 She was the oldest girl of 10

children.children. Her father, Robert Goulden Her father, Robert Goulden

was a successful business was a successful business man with strong political man with strong political beliefs. He took part in beliefs. He took part in campaigns against slavery.campaigns against slavery.

Her mother Jane was a Her mother Jane was a feminist and began taking feminist and began taking Emily to meetings when she Emily to meetings when she was very young.was very young.

Early YearsEarly Years Emmeline was described as very intelligent and Emmeline was described as very intelligent and

was able to read at age 3was able to read at age 3

Emmeline’s father said Emmeline’s father said "What a pity she wasn't "What a pity she wasn't born a lad.“born a lad.“ This made Emily angry as her father This made Emily angry as her father felt education was important for her brothers, but felt education was important for her brothers, but sent her sisters and her to a boarding school that sent her sisters and her to a boarding school that mainly taught skills that would enable them to mainly taught skills that would enable them to become good wives.become good wives.

By aged 15, Emmeline convinced her parents to By aged 15, Emmeline convinced her parents to send her to a modern women's school in Paris. send her to a modern women's school in Paris. When she returned five years later, she could When she returned five years later, she could speak French and had learned not only sewing speak French and had learned not only sewing and embroidery, but chemistry and bookkeeping. and embroidery, but chemistry and bookkeeping.

Marriage and FamilyMarriage and Family At age 21 Emmeline married Richard Pankhurst At age 21 Emmeline married Richard Pankhurst

who was over 40who was over 40

They had five children, 3 girls and 2 boys. They had five children, 3 girls and 2 boys.

In 1898, Emmeline became a widow at age 40 and In 1898, Emmeline became a widow at age 40 and discovered her husband had left her with lots of discovered her husband had left her with lots of bills. bills.

At this time women were not given the same At this time women were not given the same benefit or pension as a man whose wife died. This benefit or pension as a man whose wife died. This made Emmeline Pankhurst decide to fight for votes made Emmeline Pankhurst decide to fight for votes for women because she knew they would never be for women because she knew they would never be treated fairly unless they gained some say over the treated fairly unless they gained some say over the law.law.

Women's Social and Political Union Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU).(WSPU).

In October 1903, Emmeline founded In October 1903, Emmeline founded the Women's Social and Political the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU). Union (WSPU).

Their motto was "Votes for Women,“ Their motto was "Votes for Women,“ and only women could join.and only women could join.

Protest and PrisonProtest and Prison

In February 1906, Emmeline staged a In February 1906, Emmeline staged a women's suffragette rally in London. 400 women's suffragette rally in London. 400 women took part and marched to the women took part and marched to the House of Commons. This showed that House of Commons. This showed that more women would fight for the right to more women would fight for the right to vote. vote.

In March 1912, Emmeline led a group of In March 1912, Emmeline led a group of women to throw stones at 10 Downing women to throw stones at 10 Downing Street.Street.

They then travelled along streets of They then travelled along streets of London and smashed department store London and smashed department store windows with hammers. windows with hammers.

She was sent to jail for 9 months and She was sent to jail for 9 months and took part in a hunger-strike in protest.took part in a hunger-strike in protest.

The WarThe War

4th August, 1914, England declared war 4th August, 1914, England declared war on Germany.on Germany.

On the 10th August the government On the 10th August the government released all suffragettes from prison. In released all suffragettes from prison. In return, the WSPU agreed to end their fight return, the WSPU agreed to end their fight and help with the war.and help with the war.

At the time she said:At the time she said:

““What is the use of fighting for a vote if we What is the use of fighting for a vote if we have not got a country to vote in?”have not got a country to vote in?”

The WarThe War In 1917 Emmeline and her daughter formed In 1917 Emmeline and her daughter formed

the Woman’s Party and demanded the Woman’s Party and demanded "equal pay "equal pay for equal work, equality of rights and for equal work, equality of rights and opportunities in public service, maternity opportunities in public service, maternity benefits and fairer marriage laws." benefits and fairer marriage laws."

During the war women worked in factories During the war women worked in factories and did jobs of men such as bus drivers and and did jobs of men such as bus drivers and postmen. postmen.

This change helped women’s rights and in This change helped women’s rights and in 1918, women over the age of 30 were given 1918, women over the age of 30 were given the vote.the vote.

Death and VictoryDeath and Victory

Emmeline died on Emmeline died on 14 June 1928,14 June 1928,

Shortly after on 2 Shortly after on 2 July, 1928, women July, 1928, women were granted equal were granted equal voting rights with voting rights with men.men.