Summary of Emmeline Pankhurst, My Own Story

by Douglas Albany

Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928), born in Manchester to a politically active family, was responsible for the suffragette movement in Britain which won the right for women to vote in 1918. In 1999 “Time” magazine named Pankhurst as one of the 100 most important people of the century, declaring that she shaped an idea of women for our time and changed society drastically. In her absorbing autobiography, Pankhurst describes being introduced at the age of eight to the suffrage movement. She married Richard Pankhurst, a barrister of 24 years her senior, and they had five children before he died. She documents her political work, her active role within the movement, and her role as wife and mother.In chapter one, she illustrates an attitude that was almost a symbol of her commitment to the right causes. “It is an added good fortune to have parents who take a personal part it the great movements of their time. I am glad and thankful that this was my case.”

42 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 17, 2013