Sylvia Pankhurst

Date of Birth: May 5, 1882

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: September 27, 1960

Biography

Sylvia Pankhurst was a prominent British suffragette, socialist, and anti-fascist activist. Born into a family deeply involved in political activism, she was the daughter of Emmeline Pankhurst and the sister of Christabel Pankhurst, both of whom were key figures in the British suffragette movement. Sylvia Pankhurst devoted her life to fighting for women’s rights, workers’ rights, and anti-colonial causes. Unlike her mother and sister, who focused primarily on the right to vote for women, Sylvia took a broader approach to social justice that included advocating for the working class and opposing World War I. She founded the East London Federation of Suffragettes, which later became the Workers’ Socialist Federation, to better represent the interests of working-class women. Sylvia was also a prolific writer and artist, contributing extensively to political literature and creating compelling visual art aimed at promoting social change. Later in life, she became deeply involved in the anti-fascist movement and supported Ethiopian independence, eventually moving to Ethiopia and becoming a close advisor to Emperor Haile Selassie.

5 Interesting Facts about Sylvia Pankhurst

1. Sylvia Pankhurst was imprisoned numerous times for her activism and went on hunger strikes, enduring force-feeding as a form of protest.

2. She was an accomplished artist, having studied at the Royal College of Art in London and using her talents to further the suffrage movement.

3. Sylvia founded the newspaper “The Woman’s Dreadnought,” which later became “The Workers’ Dreadnought,” to voice her political views and advocate for social change.

4. She was expelled from the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) by her mother and sister due to her differing views on the direction of the suffrage movement.

5. Sylvia Pankhurst lived in Ethiopia during the later years of her life and was given a state funeral by the Ethiopian government when she passed away.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sylvia Pankhurst

1. “I was not arguing about it; I was not protesting about it; I was simply doing it.”

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

3. “I have been taught to regard the rights of all the people as the rights of one.”

4. “It is not only the living who are killed in war.”

5. “The only justification for rebellion is success.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Sylvia Pankhurst’s activism was not financially motivated, and there are no records of her achieving significant personal wealth. Her highest net worth was likely modest, as she dedicated her life to activism and social causes.