Mrs Pankhurst

Photographic postcard of Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928), beside the official car of the Women's Social and Political Union.
The first reference to the official WSPU car appears in the Votes for Women edition of 19th March 1909 where Emmeline Pankhurst appeals for funds for a motor car to present to the Suffragette leader Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence on her release from prison. Within just two months the £450 required for the building of the presentation car in the purple, white and green colour scheme had been raised by individual donations. The fund was managed by Mabel Tuke and, in the first week of fundraising £50 was raised by donations from Suffragettes attending a meeting at Queen's Hall.
Built by Paddon & Sopwith Limited the car was fitted with a windscreen and non-skid wheels for use in all weathers. The car made its first appearance on 10th May 1909, with Muriel Thompson who, in 1908 'was the winner of the ‘gold bracelet’ for driving, kindly undertaking to act in driving’. (Votes for Women 14th May 1909)