The Society Page

Seen today running for parliament under the Conservative Party was Ms Emmeline Pankhurst. Formerly of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU, an organization that this writer would have subscribed to had she not been born 100 years too late) Ms Pankhurst recent political movements have created quite the stir.

Her previous relationships have included the Women’s Franchise League and the afore mentioned WSPU. Ms Pankhurst is no stranger to interesting political relationships having come from a family of radical political leanings. Her relationship with the WSPU resulted in many, attention grabbing stunts such as hunger strikes, chaining herself to railings, and breaking windows.

As has been roundly reported in the Tabloid press Ms Pankhurst herself is coming out of a stint in Holloway prison where she described her time as “like a human being in the process of being turned into a wild beast.” While others may malign her for her steadfastness to her militant cause this writer applauds Ms Pankhurst for her determination and loyalty to the advancement of women. For as she herself has said “the condition of our sex is so deplorable that it is our duty to break the law in order to call attention to the reasons why we do.”

Ms Pankhurst’s change in attitudes should come as a shock to few as her expressed views during the Great War were such that placed the benefit of the country above those of her personal and political views. Her recent realizations (which many, excluding this writer, have attributed to the recent events in Russia and the far east) have pushed Ms Pankhurst into more Conservative politics. While this writer does not express her own personal political views she can say that to have any woman in a place of power is a step in the right direction.

While this writer is looking ahead at the upcoming fashions of the approaching political season with a bit of apprehension she thinks fashions are certainly moving towards women in places of power. This writer goes so far as to predict a woman in Downing Street any day now.