I want to say to you who think women cannot succeed, we have brought the government of England to this position, that it has to face this alternative: either women are to be killed or women are to have the vote.
Emmeline PankhurstRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote defends suffragists against the stereotype that they are bitter because of personal failures, asserting that personal happiness does not negate the need for social change.
Emmeline Pankhurst addresses the criticism directed at suffragists, suggesting that their dedication to women's rights is not a result of personal dissatisfaction or failure to find happiness. She emphasizes that her own life is fulfilling and harmonious, which counters the notion that activism stems from personal grievances. This quote highlights the importance of the cause of suffrage, indicating that personal contentment can coexist with a commitment to social justice.
Themes
SuffrageActivismWomenEmpowermentSocial Change
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech at a women's rights rally, one might use this quote to highlight the strength and resolve of activists.
More from Emmeline Pankhurst
All quotes →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 PankhurstRead
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 PankhurstRead
Justice and judgment lie often a world apart.
Emmeline PankhurstRead
Governments have always tried to crush reform movements, to destroy ideas, to kill the thing that cannot die. Without regard to history, which shows that no Government have ever succeeded in doing this, they go on trying in the old, senseless way.
Emmeline PankhurstRead
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 PankhurstRead
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