Emmeline Pankhurst Quotes

Powerful Emmeline Pankhurst for Daily Growth

About Emmeline Pankhurst

Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928), a pioneering British political activist, is revered as a pivotal figure in the women's suffrage movement of early 20th century England. Born on July 15, 1858, in Manchester, Pankhurst was the eldest of seven children to Susan and Richard Parks. She was deeply influenced by her father's radical political views and her mother's strong moral principles. Pankhurst married Dr. Richard Pankhurst in 1879, a prominent liberal lawyer and suffragist. Together they had four children. However, it was the denial of her own voting rights that propelled her into activism. In 1889, Emmeline founded the Women's Franchise League, which later evolved into the more militant Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1903. The WSPU was known for its provocative tactics, such as protest marches, civil disobedience, and arson, aimed at drawing attention to women's suffrage. Pankhurst is best remembered for her fiery oratory, inspiring thousands of women to fight for their rights. Her most famous quote, "Deeds not words," encapsulates her pragmatic approach to activism. In 1908, she organized the first large-scale women's protest in London, demanding votes for women. Pankhurst's influence extended beyond the suffrage movement, as she also advocated for improved working conditions and child welfare reforms. Her efforts culminated in the Representation of the People Act 1918, which granted some women over 30 the right to vote. Emmeline Pankhurst passed away on June 28, 1928. Despite her controversial methods, she is widely regarded as one of the most significant figures in British history, having played a crucial role in extending voting rights to millions of women. Her legacy continues to inspire modern-day feminists and advocates for social change worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'd rather be a rebellion than a slave."

Emmeline Pankhurst's quote, "I'd rather be a rebel than a slave," conveys her unwavering commitment to freedom and self-determination. It suggests that if one must choose between passively accepting an oppressive situation (being a slave) or actively challenging it (being a rebellion), the latter is a more honorable and empowering choice. This quote reflects her pioneering role in women's suffrage, where she chose to fight for change rather than submit to societal norms that denied women their basic rights.


"Men and women alike should have a voice in the affairs of the world and together shape the destiny of humanity."

Emmeline Pankhurst's quote emphasizes the belief that both men and women, as equally important contributors to society, should have equal rights and opportunities to influence global affairs. This perspective encourages a collaborative approach towards shaping humanity's destiny, advocating for gender equality in decision-making processes and recognizing the value of diverse perspectives in shaping our collective future.


"We have to free half of the human race, the women, so that they can help to free the other half."

This quote emphasizes the interconnectedness between gender equality and overall societal progress. Emmeline Pankhurst is saying that by liberating women (half of humanity), we enable them to contribute effectively towards the liberation and betterment of everyone else. Essentially, she is advocating for women's rights as a means to achieve a more equitable and prosperous society for all.


"Deeds not words."

Emmeline Pankhurst's quote, "Deeds not words," emphasizes the importance of action over mere rhetoric or talk. It suggests that meaningful change and progress can only be achieved through active, tangible efforts rather than just expressing sympathy or making empty promises. This sentiment is particularly relevant in social justice movements, where taking concrete steps to address issues is crucial for real progress.


"We are here not just to mark time, but to make history."

Emmeline Pankhurst's quote "We are here not just to mark time, but to make history" signifies the belief that human existence transcends mere survival or routine; it is meant for more significant purposes. This statement encourages individuals to strive for progress, to create positive change, and to make an impact on society and history. It emphasizes the importance of not only living but also making a difference in one's life and the world around them.


The argument of the broken window pane is the most valuable argument in modern politics.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Politics, Broken, Most, Argument

The whole argument with the anti-suffragists, or even the critical suffragist man, is this: that you can govern human beings without their consent.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Critical, Govern, Whole, Argument

The militancy of men, through all the centuries, has drenched the world with blood. The militancy of women has harmed no human life save the lives of those who fought the battle of righteousness.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Through, Militancy, Lives, Centuries

Not by the forces of civil war can you govern the very weakest woman. You can kill that woman, but she escapes you then; you cannot govern her. No power on earth can govern a human being, however feeble, who withholds his or her consent.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Woman, Very, However, Weakest

There is something that Governments care for far more than human life, and that is the security of property, and so it is through property that we shall strike the enemy. Be militant each in your own way. I incite this meeting to rebellion.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Own, Through, Governments, Militant

Manchester is a city which has witnessed a great many stirring episodes, especially of a political character. Generally speaking, its citizens have been liberal in their sentiments, defenders of free speech and liberty of opinion.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Been, Which, Witnessed, Sentiments

My childhood was protected by love and a comfortable home. Yet, while still a very young child, I began instinctively to feel that there was something lacking, even in my own home, some false conception of family relations, some incomplete ideal.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Love, Some, Very, Lacking

I have made speeches urging women to adopt methods of rebellion such as have been adopted by men in every revolution.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Rebellion, Been, Made, Urging

Often I have heard the taunt that suffragists are women who have failed to find any normal outlet for their emotions, and are therefore soured and disappointed beings. This is probably not true of any suffragist, and it is most certainly not true of me. My home life and relations have been as nearly ideal as possible in this imperfect world.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Life, Been, Nearly, Home Life

Men make the moral code and they expect women to accept it. They have decided that it is entirely right and proper for men to fight for their liberties and their rights, but that it is not right and proper for women to fight for theirs.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Code, Proper, Liberties, Entirely

You must make women count as much as men; you must have an equal standard of morals; and the only way to enforce that is through giving women political power so that you can get that equal moral standard registered in the laws of the country. It is the only way.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Country, Through, Standard, Registered

Holloway Prison is a very old place, and it has the disadvantages of old places which have never known enough air and sunshine. It reeks with the odours of generations of bad ventilation, and it contrives to be at once the stuffiest and the draughtiest building I have ever been in.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Bad, Been, Very, Disadvantages

From infancy, I had been accustomed to hear pro and con discussions of slavery and the American Civil War. Although the British government finally decided not to recognise the Confederacy, public opinion in England was sharply divided on the questions both of slavery and of secession.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Been, Con, Confederacy, British Government

It is perfectly evident to any logical mind that when you have got the vote, by the proper use of the vote in sufficient numbers, by combination, you can get out of any legislature whatever you want, or, if you cannot get it, you can send them about their business and choose other people who will be more attentive to your demands.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Other, Use, Perfectly, Legislature

Those men and women are fortunate who are born at a time when a great struggle for human freedom is in progress. It is an added good fortune to have parents who take a personal part in the great movements of their time. I am glad and thankful that this was my case.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Thankful, Part, Added, Struggle

Solitary confinement is too terrible a punishment to inflict on any human being, no matter what his crime. Hardened criminals in the men's prisons, it is said, often beg for the lash instead.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Human Being, Solitary, Beg, Prisons

My parents, especially my father, discussed the question of my brothers' education as a matter of real importance. My education and that of my sister were scarcely discussed at all.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Education, Question, Scarcely

I suppose I had always been an unconscious suffragist. With my temperament and my surroundings, I could scarcely have been otherwise.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Always, Been, Otherwise, Scarcely

One baby is a patient baby, and waits indefinitely until its mother is ready to feed it. The other baby is an impatient baby and cries lustily, screams and kicks and makes everybody unpleasant until it is fed. Well, we know perfectly well which baby is attended to first. That is the whole history of politics.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Politics, Other, Everybody, Kicks

The English prison system is altogether mediaeval and outworn. In some of its details, the system has improved since they began to send the Suffragettes to Holloway. I may say that we, by our public denunciation of the system, have forced these slight improvements.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Some, May, Slight, Send

Justice and judgment lie often a world apart.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Justice, World, Judgment, Apart

I have never advised the destruction of life, but of property, yes.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Never, Property, Yes, Advised

Every principle of liberty enunciated in any civilized country on earth, with very few exceptions, was intended entirely for men, and when women tried to force the putting into practice of these principles, for women, then they discovered they had come into a very, very unpleasant situation indeed.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Country, Principle, Very, Entirely

Window-breaking, when Englishmen do it, is regarded as honest expression of political opinion. Window-breaking, when Englishwomen do it, is treated as a crime.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Honest, Expression, Treated, Englishmen

I have not personally suffered from the deprivations, the bitterness and sorrow which bring so many men and women to a realisation of social injustice.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Injustice, Social, Which, Realisation

If it is right for men to fight for their freedom, and God knows what the human race would be like today if men had not, since time began, fought for their freedom, then it is right for women to fight for their freedom and the freedom of the children they bear.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Race, Like, Began, Human Race

I was fourteen years old when I went to my first suffrage meeting. Returning from school one day, I met my mother just setting out for the meeting, and I begged her to let me go along.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

One Day, Years, Setting, Meeting

One does not expect to be comfortable in prison. As a matter of fact, one's mental suffering is so much greater than any common physical distress that the latter is almost forgotten.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Fact, Distress, Almost, Greater

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

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Here, Because, Efforts, Become

When you have warfare, things happen; people suffer; the noncombatants suffer as well as the combatants. And so it happens in civil war.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

War, Happen, Civil War, Things Happen

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