In her day, Ellen Wilkinson was the most famous, and certainly the most outspoken, British female politician. Born and bred in Manchester, she was a feminist and a socialist who, among many other achievements, helped women over the age of 21 gain the vote, led the iconic Jarrow Crusade and in 1945 became the first female Minister of Education. She was only 4' 10" but she punched way above her height, hence some of her nicknames: the 'mighty atom' and the 'fiery particle'.
In 1924, when Ellen first took her seat in Parliament, she was the only woman on the Labour benches and one of only four women in the House of Commons. Join Dr Paula Bartley as she examines what it was like to be in such a minority in Parliament and find out more about Ellen's achievements.
Dr Paula Bartley has been promoting women's history in schools, colleges and universities for most of her adult life. She was Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Wolverhampton before going to live in Hungary for seven years.
In 1983 she co-founded the Women in History series for Cambridge University Press aimed at school students. She co-edited ten books in the series and co-authored three of them with topics ranging from Women in Medieval Europe through to Women in India and Pakistan. Her sole-authored books include The Changing Role of Women;Votes for Women; Prostitution, Reform and Prevention, 1860-1914; and Emmeline Pankhurst.
In 2012 she won the Elizabeth Longford award, administered by the Society of Authors, to support her research on Ellen Wilkinson.
Her biography, Ellen Wilkinson: From red suffragist to Government Minister was published by Pluto Press in February this year.
Saturday 12 July 2014 at People's History Museum, 1.00pm - 2.00pm
Suitable for adults and young people
Treat yourself to 15% off in The Left Bank cafe bar when you attend an event at the People’s History Museum
Booking Requirements: Booking required via Eventbrite
Please note event attendees must arrive at least ten minutes before the start time of the event, otherwise their booked space will be given to someone on the reserve list
Please contact the museum as soon as possible if you wish to cancel your reservation so your place can be given to another visitor
Dr Paula Bartley has been promoting women's history in schools, colleges and universities for most of her adult life. She was Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Wolverhampton before going to live in Hungary for seven years.
In 1983 she co-founded the Women in History series for Cambridge University Press aimed at school students. She co-edited ten books in the series and co-authored three of them with topics ranging from Women in Medieval Europe through to Women in India and Pakistan. Her sole-authored books include The Changing Role of Women;Votes for Women; Prostitution, Reform and Prevention, 1860-1914; and Emmeline Pankhurst.
In 2012 she won the Elizabeth Longford award, administered by the Society of Authors, to support her research on Ellen Wilkinson.
Her biography, Ellen Wilkinson: From red suffragist to Government Minister was published by Pluto Press in February this year.
Saturday 12 July 2014 at People's History Museum, 1.00pm - 2.00pm
Suitable for adults and young people
Treat yourself to 15% off in The Left Bank cafe bar when you attend an event at the People’s History Museum
Booking Requirements: Booking required via Eventbrite
Please note event attendees must arrive at least ten minutes before the start time of the event, otherwise their booked space will be given to someone on the reserve list
Please contact the museum as soon as possible if you wish to cancel your reservation so your place can be given to another visitor
