Inspiring women from around the world

Emmeline Pankhurst

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"We are here, not because we are law-breakers; we are here in our efforts to become law-makers"

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Feminist icon who defied the traditional roles of 'wife' and 'mother'. In 1889, she founded the Women's Franchise League to fight for married and unmarried women's right to vote in local elections. By 1903, she had formed the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), a militant 'suffragette' organisation. Public authorities were appalled by their demonstrations, arson attacks, window smashing, hunger strikes and assault on police officers. Whatever the merits of her action, she epitomised the changing roles of women in society.

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in 1918, post-WWI, the Representation of the People Act gave voting rights to women over 30. Pankhurst died on June 14, 1928, shortly after WOMEN were granted EQUAL VOTING RIGHTS with MEN at 21.