Emmeline Pankhurst was a leading figure in the suffragette movement in the United Kingdom. She was instrumental in advocating for women's rights to vote during the early 20th century. Pankhurst founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1903, which utilized militant tactics to draw attention to their cause. Her leadership mobilized and inspired thousands of women to join the fight for suffrage, leading to some women gaining the right to vote in 1918. Pankhurst's relentless activism and strategic campaigning were pivotal in shaping the movement’s direction and success, making her a key historical figure in the struggle for gender equality.