The short sightedness of Emmeline Pankhurst

Mention the name Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928) and it conjures up the image of a martyr, a virago, the Edwardian warrior in the battle of equality of voting rights. As a woman I admire her for her single-mindedness and thank her for giving women the right to elect those who govern us as well as to become members of the great governing body – the Parliament. As an optometrist I have strong criticism of Mrs Pankhurst for being uncaring and indifferent to the visual needs of her son. Young Harry had very poor eyesight (details not available) but his mother was against him wearing glasses even though it was a great disadvantage to him during his years of development. One can only speculate the effect it must have had on his learning ability. Harry was a burden to his mother who did not know what to do with him. When he grew up, Mrs Pankhurst advised him to train as a secretary. She allowed him £1 per week and consented to him being fitted with prescription glasses so that he could see the print clearly. Harry did not finish the course and instead became a farmer for obvious reasons. It is difficult to imagine what Harry must have gone through, not being allowed to see clearly by his mother.