Emmeline Pankhurst was the founder of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK, advocating for women's suffrage and greater political rights. She played a significant role in organizing protests, hunger strikes, and other forms of direct action to draw attention to the cause. Pankhurst's militant tactics challenged the status quo and brought national attention to women's rights issues. Her relentless campaigning contributed to the eventual granting of suffrage to women, making her a central figure in the fight for gender equality in the early 20th century.