Sadly, due to being stuck hopelessly researching an essay in level-13 of the Edward Boyle Library at Leeds University, I was unable to attend UK Feminista’s land-mark Feminist Lobby of Parliament on the 24th of October. However, I followed the furore closely on Twitter and was both happy and surprised to find a lovely email by Dr Helen Pankhurst sitting snugly in my inbox. Stupidly enough, I have neglected my emails slightly so have only written this post today. But better late than never, eh? And yes, I know I am a part of UK Feminista’s mailing list but it was still a lovely [albeit slightly delayed] treat seeing that name ping up on the screen!
Just to clarify, Dr Helen Pankhurst is the great-granddaughter of the suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst.
A mere 106 years ago Emmeline lead a lobby to demand votes for women. And as her great-grandmother before her, Helen seems equally as determined and focused in the continual struggle for women’s rights, which remain ” as urgent and vital as ever. ”
Hundreds of women and men agreed with her, and marched through Westminster, singing, debating and making their voices heard. They called upon their MP’s to listen and take urgent action. As I said, I wish I could have joined in- but I will just have to show my support online instead. . The lobby was featured on BBC News at Ten, Channel 4 News, CNN and Sky News – amongst many others. You can see a full round-up of media here.Just to clarify, Dr Helen Pankhurst is the great-granddaughter of the suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst.
A mere 106 years ago Emmeline lead a lobby to demand votes for women. And as her great-grandmother before her, Helen seems equally as determined and focused in the continual struggle for women’s rights, which remain ” as urgent and vital as ever. ”
And here we have a short but sweet 50-second clip of the event-
And a UK Feminista film ‘Where are women’s voices?’ featuring interviews with experts from Unlock Democracy, Centre for Women and Democracy, Fawcett Society, TUC and Object discussing how why women’s voices are often silenced. This is one of four films in UK Feminista’s ‘Building a Feminist Future’ made in the run-up to the Lobby.
Behind the Curtain 