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In 1895
the Union of Women Workers was formed to provide a platform
for women who worked, mostly voluntarily, in the social
sector. Mrs Louise Creighton, the wife of the Bishop
of London, was the first President, from 1895 to 1897.
[BIBLIOGRAPHY] 
(The name of the organisation was changed to 'The National
Council of Women' in 1918.)
The Union
quickly appreciated that discussion alone was not sufficient
to bring about change and that action needed to be taken to
improve the quality of life for all and in particular, the
status of women. The first conference was held in Nottingham
on 1895 when nine papers were given on topical subjects by
such well known women as Beatrice Webb on ‘State
Regulation Affecting Women's Work’ and Mrs Fawcett on
‘The Probable Effect on the Position of Women of Granting
them the Parliamentary Suffrage’. Annual Conferences
have taken place since that date and have continued to voice
contemporary concerns of women.
Very quickly, a network of branches developed throughout the
United Kingdom and other organisations became affiliated to
the Union because of the range of work and wide membership.
Today there are still, among our Affiliates, three who
joined in the very earliest days.
In order to carry out its work effectively by 1900 a series
Special Committees had been created each concentrating on a
particular issue. One of the best known committees was the
Women Patrol Committee (later known as the Women’s Police
Committee), which in the First World War instituted the
Women’s patrols (the forerunner of the Women’s Police)
and continued to work for the recognition of women police
until 1947.
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Although
not actively engaged in social work, as it is recognised
today, during the First World War members ran a laundry for
soldiers, provided toys for children and organised a
travelling exhibition on Child Welfare. At the same time NCW
began its campaign for ‘Equal pay for Equal work’. In
the Second World War, members and branches looked after
child refugees from Europe. The Council was also
particularly concerned with the position of women in the
armed forces. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s women were
becoming anxious to participate in the life of the country
NCW worked to remove discrimination against women in all
areas and to encourage women to take their full place in
society. This work still continues today.
In recent years new issues have arisen, including consumer
awareness and scientific developments, for which policy
committees have been created.
In 1897 the organisation became affiliated to the
International Council of Women and has since that date
participated in discussions on the difficulties faced by
women in other countries and keeps the members in the United
Kingdom informed.
For more than a hundred years the NCW has provided a forum
for debate and an opportunity for women to voice their
concerns, make recommendations to Government and other
decision making agencies; is a valuable source of
information for members and is a strong support network for
women in the UK.
It also possesses a large archive which is a valuable tool
for researchers into women's history. The archive is
held at the London Metropolitan Archives,
Metropolitan Record Office, 40 Northampton Road, London EC1R
0HB (tel: 0207606 3030).
The archives of the ICWGB and ECICW are at the Women's
Library, Old Castle Street,
London E1 [MORE]
Bibliography
for Louise Creighton
Memoir of a Victorian Woman – Reflections of Louise
Creighton 1850-1936, James Covert (Ed), (1994)
A
Victorian Family as seen through the Letters of Louise
Creighton to her Mother 1872-1880,
James Covert (Ed) Published 1998
A
Victorian Marriage, Mandell and Louise Creighton,
James Covert (Ed)
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In
addition, Barbara Maddison has written a booklet, published
by NCW, about her life and character. [MORE]
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