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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)
● In addition, Barbara
Maddison has written a booklet, published by NCW, about
her life and character. [MORE]
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