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Today in History: Emmeline Pankhurst forms militant Women's Social Political Union

By Drooid · Oct 10, 2026, 10:36 AM UTC · How we work

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Story summary

On October 10, 1903 Emmeline Pankhurst launched the Women’s Social and Political Union, a women-only militant group that steered the British suffragette movement. Under Pankhurst and her daughters, the WSPU employed direct action to pressure Parliament, helping secure voting rights for women in 1918 and full equal franchise in 1928.

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Story summary

On October 10, 1903 Emmeline Pankhurst launched the Women’s Social and Political Union, a women-only militant group that steered the British suffragette movement. Under Pankhurst and her daughters, the WSPU employed direct action to pressure Parliament, helping secure voting rights for women in 1918 and full equal franchise in 1928.