Emmeline Pankhurst

Postcard with photographic portrait of Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928) standing by a desk, with one hand on an open book and the other on a pair of glasses which hangs around her neck.
Emmeline Pankhurst was born in Manchester into a Radical political family. She married Dr. Richard Pankhurst, a Radical, feminist barrister. In 1903 she founded the Women's Social and Political Union to campaign for female suffrage. Emmeline Pankhurst was a charismatic speaker who converted many to her cause. Led by Emmeline and her daughter Christabel, the WSPU adopted increasingly militant tactics, such as heckling politicians and smashing windows. Emmeline Pankhurst served a number of prison sentences for her suffragette activities and went on hunger strike in protest at suffragettes not having the status of political prisoners.