Do women not have the right to vote? Should women not have a say in the society that they live in? The women’s suffrage movement thought they should, and fought for the rights of women for decades, starting from the early 19th century and ending in the 1920s.

One of them was Ellen Pitfield. Who is she you may ask? Well, she worked as a midwife in Buckinghamshire, until 1908 when - aged 41 - she joined Emmeline Pankhurst’s women’s social and political union, the WSPU. She was one of the many women that refused to accept their societal roles as passive observers. Pitfield, like the WSPU, favoured Militant activity. She was arrested, five times, and sent to prison. During her time in prison, she led hunger strikes, her courage and refusal to give in forcing the officers to release her and the other suffragettes.

After being released from prison in 1909, it was stated that Pitfield said:

“There are only two things that matter to me in the world: principle and liberty. For these I will fight as long as there is life in my veins. I am no longer an individual, I am an instrument."

By viewing herself as an instrument for the advancement of principles and liberty suggests that she had a deep understanding of the greater significance of these values beyond personal beliefs and interests. It demonstrates her eagerness to act as a catalyst for positive change. This commitment to principles and personal liberty suggests a willingness to sacrifice for what she believed in. It’s almost as if Pitfield believed she has a duty to be the driving force for progress in the patriarchal society. Soon after, in 1909, she was awarded a ‘hunger strike medal’ for valour by the WSPU. Soon after, in 1909, she was awarded a ‘hunger strike medal’ for valour by the WSPU.

However, in 1911, Pitfield discovered that she had terminal cancer. That might have stopped others, but it made her even bolder. Frustrated by the lack of progress, and now running out of time, she decided to act.  In 1912, Ellen wrote to Emmeline Pankhurst. The whole letter read:

“Dearest Mrs Pankhurst

I am with you heart and soul in the great demonstration on March the 4th 1912. A soldier to the death.”

On that day Ellen entered the London General Post office. She set it on fire, began a riot and then gave herself up to police. She was sentenced to 6 months in Holloway Prison but was sent to the prison hospital due to her poor condition. According to Pankhurst, Pitfield was released in May and died 3 months later in August 1912.

So why does she deserve greater recognition as a suffragette and historical figure in my local area and globally? It would be comfortable to say that her work has been overlooked simply since there were so many suffragettes.  Emily Wilding Davison is widely remembered for her dramatic protest where she jumped in front of the King’s horse and died – so why not Pitfield? A reason for why she might have been dismissed may have been due to societal disagreement and discomfort with her advocacy and militant tactics. Pitfield’s unapologetic approach to tackling this problem challenged conventional narratives of peaceful protests. However, Pitfield seems like a natural hero - despite having cancer and knowing that her death was imminent she became even more determined to use her last days on Earth to fight for women rights. Also, her multiple arrests and imprisonments illustrate her unwavering responsibility and dedication to this ever so important cause. Many suffragettes displayed perseverance and went through many hardships of their own, but Ellen Pitfield faced more and fought harder than her more famous peers.

So why has she been forgotten?  I think that the answer is in her letter. Pitfield described herself as a ‘soldier’ – she proudly believed that her violence was not only justified but was essential. She did not run from the scene of her crime or try to escape responsibility. She believed that what she had done - her violence - was right. Her story strengthens our understanding of the strategies to pursue women’s rights. Ellen Pitfield is one of the many who invited change wholeheartedly and endured immense pain and struggle for speaking out and fighting for what they believed in. Pitfield, like many, dared to challenge the status quo.

And whilst some people may not be comfortable with her actions, I believe that Ellen deserves greater recognition since she fought for what she believed, unaware of the true outcome since she died before women achieved the vote and more.