Inspiring People - Emmeline Pankhurst
By Fran Edwards - 18 May 2022
A few people from around Worth Unlimited have agreed to tell us about someone who inspires them. Next up is Fran Edwards.
Emmeline Pankhurst
Political and suffrage activist (1858 - 1928)
Emmeline Pankhurst was born in Manchester, into a family that was interested in politics. She wanted the government to give women the vote as she and her family felt it was unfair that only men could vote.
On 10th October 1903, Emmeline invited a group of women into her home to form a group to fight for votes for women. The suffragettes' movement motto was ‘Deeds not Words’.
During her time as a suffragette, she was put in prison, went on hunger strike and was force fed. She argued, "We are here not to become law-breakers but law-makers." Unfortunately, Emmeline died just before women over 21 were given the right to vote, so didn’t see her life’s work come into fruition.
Why she inspires me:
One of my mottos is ‘Deeds not words’. Words can be thrown around with little meaning, whereas actions show your intentions. She was one of the first change-makers, and in her words, "You must make women count as much as men." This is the start of bringing equality for women, which is still very current today.
