Women have largely been written out of history, and we want to help write them back in. We’re working to recover women’s voices and stories, focusing on historical activism in Scotland.
We aim to redraft history – so that it includes herstories.
Leading Women Mary Barbour was a working-class political activist, local Councillor, Bailie and Magistrate. She is most well known for her role leading the 1915 Govan Rent Strikes, when working people protested against unfair rents. As a local Councillor she campaigned relentlessly for better housing, healthcare, and means-tested benefits. She was one of the first…
As a society we need diverse and inspiring examples of activism to reach for, and young people need to see themselves reflected in the histories they learn.
We use archival sources like newspapers, photographs, and material culture (like banners and badges) to bring to light the inspiring stories of suffragettes, suffragists, rent strike activists, community organisers, and trade unionists.
“There is a clear message for all women involved in [any] movement: take your T-shirts, your badges, jewellery and posters to your local museum and demand that they be preserved for posterity.
Do not be written out of history.”
Dr Elspeth King, authour, historian, and former Director of the Stirling Smith Art Museum
