First Names: Emmeline Pankhurst

One volume takes the reader through Emmeline Pankhurst’s life highlighting not only her well known role in the Suffragette movement but the experiences that led her to that point. Nicknamed ‘The Dictionary’ and clearly gifted, she was shocked to discover as a child family expectations for her were low, because she was female. However, despite personal tragedies she devoted her life to working to improve conditions for the poor and women in particular, including the so called ‘matchstick girls’ and those living in the workhouse. It was when she realised the only way real change could be effected was through women having the vote that the direction of her work shifted towards politics. Using firstly peaceful protest then direct action her fame increased and the cause drew attention not least though the infamous hunger strikes and forced feeding. Through this and the societal and workplace changes resulting from The First World War she lived long enough to see her efforts were successful with all women over 21 securing the vote in 1928.

The book is written in a conversational and accessible style, although the narrative meanders at times through attempts to be comprehensive.  Cartoon illustrations throughout and regular interjections from Emmeline herself add humour and are used as a device to include detail about key topics such as the voting system. For those with some knowledge of Emmeline Pankhurst this book will provide some interesting background detail.