Emmeline pankhurst
British 1858-1928
Pankhurst was a leading figure of the women’s suffrage movement in Britain and the founder of the WSPU. She encouraged her followers, known as suffragettes, to use militant tactics such as arson and window smashing to promote their cause. These decisive methods were criticised as some believed they did more harm then good. During World War I, Pankhurst ceased militant activity to support the war effort and once the war ended in 1918, women over 30 were finally granted the right to vote. Ten years later, this was extended to women aged 21 and over, but this extension happened just after Pankhurst’s death.
Pankhurst went on a hunger strike during her numerous arrests. She was forcefed in prison — a violent process that caused controversy