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Happy birthday to Ellen Wilkinson, influential suffragist, trades unionist, communist, socialist, anti-fascist, novelist and member of parliament.

Born in Manchester, Wilkinson’s early campaigning was for women’s votes. During WWI she organised strikes for equal pay. She was instrumental in the 1926 General Strike and 1936 iconic Jarrow hunger marches (she was MP for Jarrow)

Wilkinson was steadfast and exuberant in exercising her principles. She was known as ‘fiery’ and was easy to spot with her bright red hair and vivid clothing