Book summary
Diane Atkinson is a writer who regularly lectures on the suffragettes. A consultant on the 2015 film Suffragette, she has also worked with many documentary makers. Her previous books include Suffragettes in Pictures, Funny Girls and Elsie and Mairi Go to War.
In 1903, Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), transforming the suffrage movement with their militant philosophy of “deeds, not words.” Christabel Pankhurst emerged as a prominent figure, symbolizing the cause, while Sylvia Pankhurst contributed through her artistic talents. Despite fostering loyalty, the Pankhursts’ authoritarian leadership caused internal divisions, leading to splinter groups and expulsions. The WSPU’s strategy of imprisonment highlighted the harsh treatment suffragettes endured, including force-feeding during hunger strikes, which drew public condemnation. Frustrated by political inaction, the suffragettes escalated their tactics, from property destruction to arson and bombings, sparking both backlash and increased attention. Figures like Emily Davison, known for her radical actions and ultimate sacrifice, became enduring symbols of the movement. The Representation of the People Act of 1918 marked a significant victory, enfranchising millions of women, though with restrictions. Subsequent reforms in the 1920s expanded women’s rights, culminating in full voting equality in 1928—a triumph rooted in the Pankhursts’ relentless activism.
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