Feminism, advocating equal rights and social status for women and men, took many forms in the late 1800's and early 1900's. In Britain, militant feminists such as Emmeline Pankhurst rioted in the streets, destroyed property and tangled with police. The early feminist movement in western Canada was peaceful by contrast. Leading Canadian feminists, including the Famous 5, brought about significant improvements to women's lives without resorting to violence. They also upheld conventions that today may seem backward. Among these conventions was the belief that marriage and motherhood were important women's roles. This was not to say that women should be denied the right to work outside the home or participate in politics. This social stance came to be known as maternal feminism.
Emily Murphy with Emmeline Pankhurst, a famous British suffr
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