Greenham Common badge, The Greenham Factor and postcard of Greenham Common Blues by ennis gould

At the library we have some items relating to Greenham Common and other materials from the women’s peace movement including badges, music and leaflets.

What was it like for women attending Greenham and what motivated them?

The leaflet The Greenham Factor includes many personal quotes from the ordinary women who were involved in the protests, as well as snippets of poetry, song, quotations from various significant campaigners and legal reports, and photographs of the action. It was published by the Greenham Print Prop and was intended to be used as publicity for the cause.

One theme that runs through the testimonies of the women in The Greenham Factor is how some were inspired to get involved because they were mothers. My mum, Pamela Shaw, went there in the winter of 1982 to join with 30,000 other women who linked hands to embrace the 9-mile fence that encircled the base. I was only 3 years old at the time so I thought I’d email her about it because she kept a diary for this year. This is what she replied:

“I think my interest started after reading “Children of the Ashes: The People of Hiroshima, the Story of a Rebirth” by Robert Jungk. I kept friends with your midwife and she chatted to me about the anti-nuclear movement and may have lent it to me. It moved me so much. She invited me to CND meetings in and the diary records my frequently typing up notes of meeting. The group seems to be called SANG [Somerton against Nuclear group?]. I delivered some to houses on our estate one time and helped at Bazaar to raise funds for coach trip….

The diary will fill you in on the details and my feelings. The only postscript I should have added to the diary, but not enough space, was that on the news the only report was an image of a police horse being attacked so it seemed to negate the positive power and unity that all us women had shared together. I do remember fasting for a day to pray over the issue, probably my first fast ever.

Being mom to you all I felt so strongly about it. Reading it almost 30 years after I felt very emotional about it again. It all flooded back. Today we live with different threats that we cannot seem to do much about, such as terrorist attacks.”

Extracts from the diary

9/1/82
CND 1st meeting. Awoke in me a consciousness of purpose. Hard to debate with Carole on return – so in bath sorted out issues for myself.

5/3/82
Then dashed out to CND meeting. A packed hall & good feeling. It was lively at discussion time but pro-Nuclears were not conclusive or swayed us. Helped with coffee. I shook during the discussions!
11/12/82

… All kids early to bed. I flopped and stirred myself to write Peace letters and letter to M.P. about Greenham and now feel much better.

12/12/82
Early start – posted letter to M.P. on way to catch coach from Yeovil. To Greenham Common [Anti Cruise Peace Camp]. All the ladies very nice, and ordinary, no wierdos as expected. Amazed at number arriving and then felt horror at seeing length of wire fence and menacing building behind, but then as we walked along and saw massed decorations as everyone put of photos of children, mothers, baby clothes, flowers, candles and posters – it was made whole and peaceful. Linked hands at 2.00. A bit inhibited – especially as wailing started but chimed the bells I had brought. Felt so emotional and cried, just as a pressman popped up. Took 2 hours to leave after passing hand shakes etc. Very tired but committed – 1 of 30 thousand.

13/12/82
Mind full of arguments for anti-Nuclear… Fellowship [group] when I wanted to share my fears and hopes. Very defensive reaction, especially from John. Spent a sad night and cried for peace and sad marriage was not so shared and deep on large issues. But in the morning our prayers and music of the night were answered. U.N. voted to lessen arms. …

16/12/82
Parliament discussed Nuclear arms. We have made an impact and stir.

It was not until after the 1987 Nuclear Forces Treaty between the USSR and USA was signed that the missiles finally left the site in 1991.

If you have any memories, or mementos, of your experiences of Greenham Common or other peace protests, and would like to donate them to the library, please get in contact with us.

Jean Girdwood (left) doing research for Women Make History

The staff, leaders and my peers have been instrumental in promoting Glasgow Women’s History to every corner of Glasgow. We were encouraged to research both historical and living Glasgow Women who individually made a difference to the city both in the arts, sciences, education, politics etc, and not forgetting the ordinary or should I say extraordinary women of Glasgow who were/are an integral part of the development and history of Glasgow.

I was immediately impressed by the very positive attitude of everyone at these meetings and the ideas were flowing. A development group was formed for the project and there were about 10 of us. It was decided that we would all be involved in researching these Glasgow women and we put a large map up so that we could highlight which area of the city these women came from and attached written info about them to the map. After a few meetings it was agreed that we should create a walking tour around the west end of the city and relate the info we had gathered on the women.

This walk was all about the history of Glasgow from car designers to women in education at the beginning of the 19th century and their part in making degree courses available to all women. The suffragettes and their great struggle to gain the vote for women, women in the arts including artists, writers and designers.

West End Women's Heritage Walk outside the University of Glasgow

I am one of the guides for these walks and the most memorable part for me was the surprise of the participants at the facts about these Glasgow women which made the research even more worthwhile and also noting how much they all enjoyed the walk. We had a group of 20 for the first booked walk, and I was feeling a little apprehensive but I need not have fretted because I discovered as we were walking and talking that quite a number of the group were making comments e.g. “I didn’t know that”, “I must find out more about that”, “I never heard of her before”, “we should tell others”, this feedback inspired me greatly and still does. This has been evident on all the walks I have done up till now and I know it will continue.

I have tried to give a little flavour of my work with this group which is of course ongoing. The library collection and the services which they offer are vital to the people and the City of Glasgow. The library has had a number of enquiries from other organizations who have either been on the walk or have heard about what the library is doing and they meet with them so that they can set up similar walks in their own towns or other projects.

The volunteering opportunities within the library are invaluable. I personally have benefited greatly from my work with the group and have an even greater respect and interest in Glasgow and its history and what’s still to come. All of the other volunteers whom I have met agree that their lives have been truly enhanced and made richer by their involvement with the Women’s Library and this is ongoing.

Glasgow Women’s Library demonstrates imagination and innovation, changes lives, brings people together and is very creative. Fun, fun, fun is to be had at the library and this is the best therapy of all.

Working collectively on the project for the West End walk pulled me into a world of research. Investigating information was a bit like digging for research treasure, I could easily while away an afternoon in the archives looking for the nugget of a story. I found it genuinely empowering and inspiring how these voices and stories could cross decades and strike a chord with women in the 21st century.

Learning about these strong, defiant, groundbreaking women has helped shape my outlook on women’s history as a whole, and, consequently, given me a better understanding of my own identity.

Kirsty Hood leads the launch of the Women of the Merchant City Walk in 2009

From originally just planning to be part of the research team, I ended up being a tour guide on the walks themselves, an achievement that wouldn’t have happened without the supportive, trusting and encouraging environment that surrounds the project, perpetuated by all the staff team at the library and by fellow history detectives. Mostly undeterred by Glasgow’s weather, I’ve now lead a number of walks. It’s a heartening experience when those who come on the tour can identify with the women we discuss and, in turn, be inspired by them.

I’m now working within Glasgow Museums as a Learning Assistant (with a new role doing live interpretation) and working on the second tour to come from the library – the Merchant City walk.

*written in 2008

We recently received a collection of archives from the Josephine Butler Society. Founded by Josephine Butler (1828-1906) herself in 1869, the Society was first known as the Ladies National Association. It was set up to oppose the Contagious Diseases Acts of 1864, 1866 and 1869. These Acts were passed in order to reduce the increasing rates of venereal disease and numbers of prostitutes commonly found within the vicinity of military barracks. Controversially, the 1869 Act forced any women suspected of being a prostitute to be examined and if found to be infected to be quarantined in a ‘Lock Hospital’ for up to three months. The LNA campaigned against such measures which criminalised and disproportionately blamed women. In 1886 the Contagious Diseases Acts were repealed.

The LNA also campaigned against child prostitution and the trafficking of women to brothels in Europe; in 1885 their efforts were rewarded when the Commons passed an Act to increase the age of sexual consent to 16 and introduced measures to suppress brothels and prevent trafficking. In 1915 the LNA amalgamated with the British Branch of the International Abolitionist Federation (IAF) – which was also founded by Josephine Butler – to become the Association for Moral and Social Hygiene (AMSH). The society adopted Josephine Butler’s name in 1962. Today the Society still acts as a pressure group campaigning against the legalisation of prostitution, the trafficking of women and the marginalization of those vulnerable to being forced into this profession. Its values are ‘social justice’ and ‘equality of all citizens before the law’.

Detail showing memorial notices from Josephine Butler Society archives

The collection donated to Glasgow Women’s Library includes copies of the Society’s monthly publication, The Shield, reports relating to the Contagious Diseases Acts and the various Commissions set up to investigate and review them, memorial notices relating to Josephine Butler, copies of The Dawn, vigilance records, pamphlets, correspondence, and press cuttings and notes relating to police women within Scotland. The full collection has been listed and is in the process of being catalogued.

If you would like to see any items from this collection please contact the Archivist. [provide contact link] We are very grateful for this donation and for the volunteers who have helped to re-house and sort it.

Would you like to find out more about women in the Blitz; the suffragettes in Clydebank; the Singer factory strikers; and women who worked in the shipyards?
Or maybe there is a local woman from Clydebank’s past you would like to know more about? Maybe you have a story of a local woman you would like to tell?

Come along and find out about the Clydebank women’s history group. At this taster you can meet some of the group, find out about how you can learn the skills to become a women’s history detective.
See some fascinating photos and objects from our archive and listen to the voices and stories of some great Scottish women, past and present.
Free of charge. Booking essential.
To book a place or for more information phone: 0141 248 9969 or Email info@womenslibrary.org.uk

Following the huge success of our West End Women’s Heritage Walk and Map the Women Make History team has made history again in developing the first podcast version of a women’s heritage walk in Glasgow. This fantastic resource was launched on the Centenary Celebration of International Women’s Day

As part of the West End Festival Women Make History will be running the West End Women’s Heritage Silent Walk on Sunday 19 June 2011 at 2pm

This podcast reveals a hidden history of the West End: from pipe-smoking forewomen to revolting schoolmistresses. A unique and inspiring insight into the hitherto unsung women who made the West End. Just visit the website to purchase a copy for the introductory price of £3.

West End Women’s Heritage Silent Walk

Meet at Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery
Sunday 19 June 2011, 2pm

Step One: Download the West End Women’s Heritage Podcast here
Step Two: Take your MP3 player, iPod, phone, or whatever device you have the walk saved on, and a set of head phones, and gather outside the Kelvingrove Art Gallery at 2pm on Sunday 19 June 2011.
Step Three: Follow the walk at your own pace, taking in each stop and meeting up with the group at various points along the way.
Step Four: Meet the stars of the podcast for coffee and questions at Kelvingrove Art Gallery from 3.30pm onwards.

A unique opportunity to be one of the first people in Glasgow to experience a silent heritage walk. Please contact us to register your attendance so we know how many people to expect on the day.

If you would like any more information, please contact us online or call 0141 248 9969.

Click here for more information on our booking system and to join the library.

Download the flyer for our West End Festival 2011 Events here.

This book is about those young women who married Canadian soldiers, sailors and airmen and went to live with them in New Brunswick.

New Brunswick is in Eastern Canada and is one of the Atlantic provinces at the mouth of the St Lawrence River and the upper reaches of the Bay Of Fundy. Many of the communities make their livings from farming, fishing and forestry and in the 1940s it was a remote and difficult area in which to live.

War wives and children began arriving in New Brunswick in 1942. At first the numbers were very small as these people had to make their own way there with no government assistance and the journey was often very difficult. In August 1944, with the end of the war in Europe in sight a decision was made to give available space on troopships to servicemen’s wives. From then on the numbers of dependents making their way to Canada began to rise steadily. In 1946, when all the men had been repatriated home , the trickle of war brides turned into a flood.

By March 1948 43,454 war brides and 20,997 children were brought to Canada. New Brunswick is one of the smallest provinces but it’s servicemen married more than 1800 war brides who brought 900 children to the province. Most came from England and Scotland; a few came from Ireland and Wales; fewer from Western Europe such as The Netherlands and Belgium; and fewer from Italy and Austria. They were all young, many just teenagers and despite attempts by the forces to prevent, or slow down the rate of marriage by creating rules which gave the soldiers a cooling off period between falling in love and getting married, and other devices , the number of marriages increased.

The reason for so many marriages to Canadian troops were varied, but there were some recurring themes. The Canadian troops were the first Americans to come to Europe. They came first to Britain and many were here for a long time. They were all over the country in a variety of jobs and were able to travel about the country freely and easily. This was a time when most British men were away fighting in Europe; family life was disrupted and life was full of uncertainties. The country was suffering all sorts of hardship from rationing to bombing and into this depressed situation came these fresh faced troops with their cheeky attitudes and plenty of money; and access to luxuries unavailable to local people. The unsettled nature of wartime life in Britain put a premium on living for the moment. Dancing was probably the most popular pastime , and dance halls were a great place to meet the opposite sex, though people met in all sorts of places and under all sorts of circumstances. The funniest one described took place in a cinema. A young lady was sitting on her own watching a film. Elsewhere in the auditorium was a Canadian serviceman on his own. The air raid siren sounded but because there were so many false alarms no one moved. A bomb hit the cinema and the young lady was thrown into the air and landed on the serviceman’s lap, and that was the beginning of that romance.

The length and intensity of the Second World War created a time when people threw caution to the winds. The spirit of living for the day led to short, intense and very passionate relationships, some hasty marriages, and equally sudden pregnancies.

As mentioned already, the obstacles thrown in their way did nothing to stem the number of marriages and the flow of war brides across the Atlantic. As the years went on travel became easier and more comfortable. The Canadian Wives Bureau was set up to deal with information, welfare and civilian repatriation. War brides clubs were set up to give people a chance to meet one another and to learn about Canada. Members of Volunteer Aid Detachments such as the Canadian Red Cross helped out on the Atlantic voyage. The women and children were well cared for. Once they reached Canada special trains transported them to all parts of the country. Wives heading for New Brunswick had a short trip of about half a day and an overnight stop before they were taken to the more remote parts of the province.

Many of these young women had no idea of what kind of life faced them in Canada. Most had come from towns and cities and went to rural settlements where the house had no running water, no electricity, no inside toilet and a wood burning stove. That took a lot of adjusting to, but most of them did make the adjustment. They were welcomed into the local community. They stuck at it and learned to live off the land, storing up food to last through the long severe Canadian winter and bringing up large families. Many were homesick at first but most got over it and learned to enjoy their life in Canada. There was no question of divorce for most people in those days. The social stigma would have been awful and there would have been no way of bringing up their families on their own.

Not all marriages were a success and some wives had to flee abusive and drunken husbands. Others just stuck it out. Many of these ex-servicemen were suffering from what are now known as operational stress disorders, but this was not recognised as such then. There were no social support services for the wives and families for many years and neither was there the support of the wives‘ extended families as they were too far away, so they had to struggle on on their own. Some did make their way back to Britain, but most were stuck in Canada.

The early interest in the war brides waned as the years went by and the meetings and parties which were arranged in the later 1940s became fewer and fewer. The ties that bound these women together weakened over the years. Weekly meetings shifted to monthly and later to yearly before they petered out altogether. There was a resurgence of interest in the 1970s with the publication of a book entitled “The War Brides” by Joyce Hibbert who was the first to tell their stories; both the good and the bad. 2006 was designated as the Year of the War Bride, but their numbers are dwindling in every province and those who remain are in their late 80s. Their children and grandchildren realise that it is important to get their stories about such an unusual chapter in the history of the country before they die and the stories are lost.

You Play Your Part was produced by film-maker Kirsten MacLeod, who worked in collaboration with women from Govan as they reflected on their lives by the river Clyde. This film was made in association with Plantation Productions and the University of the West of Scotland.

The plan is to watch the film, which runs just under half an hour, and then have a discussion with some of the Govan women who helped to research the history and produce the film. It will be a great chance to share experiences with local women, and to find out more about other women’s history projects and what it is possible to achieve.

This is a closed event, but if you are interested in organising a viewing of the film, please get in touch with Morag by phone: 0141 248 9969; or email: morag.smith@womenslibrary.org.uk.

This course will be run in partnership with DACE at Glasgow University; it will be led by Dr Ronnie Scott, who has wide experience in encouraging people to research their local history.

Coatbridge Fountain

It seems strange to recommend a book about the history of madness as a ‘page-turner’ but Lisa Appignanesi’s exploration of this subject covering the last two centuries and relating it to women in particular was a very absorbing and accessible read. She looks at the developments in the diagnoses and treatments of mental illness, always considering the social construction of madness and analysing the different ways to be mad in each century (one nineteenth century mind doctor delared that to find the best female mental health…’give me the little woman who has not been ‘educated’ too much’).

The author moves from times when physical brutality was often thought to cure (bleeding, purging, icy baths) to a study of today’s therapies and chemically-based treatments as…’ more of our unhappiness is medicalised’.She makes use of case histories to illustrate her points, both those of ordinary women and famous ones- e.g. Marilyn Munroe, Virginia Woolf, Mary Lamb and Zelda Fitzgerald. Women’ roles on both sides of the asylum door – as women have themselves become practitioners and professionals in the last decades – are studied but do not lead to quite the conclusions the author had hoped for.

I particularly enjoyed the historical context of this book after reading two novels ,Fingersmith by Sarah Waters and Restoration by Rose Tremain….although I keep myself under observation as novel-reading for women may overexcite and lead to fits of hysterics and delusional behaviour!!