Emmeline pankhurst biography summary

Emmeline Pankhurst 15 July — 14 June was a leading British suffragette, who played a militant role in helping to gain women the right to vote. Emmeline Pankhurst was born in Moss Side, Manchester in In , she married Richard Pankhurst, a leading barrister who was 24 years older than her.

How did emmeline pankhurst change the world

In , she was elected a poor law guardian, and she spent time visiting workhouses in Manchester becoming aware of the shocking levels of poverty many faced. With her husband they had five children; but his death in , was a great shock to Emmeline. She led a passionate group of women who were willing to take part in drastic action such as tying themselves to railings, smashing windows and launching demonstrations.

Pankhurst defended the militant tactics on the grounds that:. The government and establishment were shocked at the tactics of the women, and many were arrested. In , Emily Pankhurst was convicted of breaking windows and sent to Holloway Prison. In prison, she went on hunger strike in protest about the appalling conditions that prisoners were kept in.

However, this polarised opinion within the WPSU and many members left — arguing the violence was counter-productive and damaging to the cause. Due to the increased militancy of the British suffrage movement, public opinion was increasingly polarised.