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

Uncover the Merchant City’s hidden history during this walk around Glasgow’s cosmopolitan hub. Join Glasgow Women’s Library tour guides to discover the female stars that stud the fabric of this famous quarter. Scandal, vice, radicalism, regeneration and revival are topics highlighted by this original tour.

If you took part in this walk and would like to leave feedback please complete our online survey. We value any feedback that we get as this helps us constantly update and improve our work. Click Here to take the survey

Sunday 20 September 2009 – 10am to 12pm

This walk is taking place as part of the Doors Open Weekend. All bookings must go through their website.

Click here to make a booking.

Information Session for Introduction to Women’s Studies

What type of Society do we live in? What makes us who we are? Are women naturally more caring than men? Who came to Scotland between the 1830’s and 1930’s? Are there different rules for men and women? These are some of the questions we look at in our Introduction to Women’s Studies course.
Wednesday 19 August, 1pm to 3pm

Doors Open at the Library

Come and take a peek behind the doors of GWL, meet our new archivist and have at sneak preview at some of the library’s hidden gems of the collection.
Saturday 19th September, 10am to 1pm

Doors Open Merchant City Women’s Heritage Walk

For this years Doors Open weekend why not join Glasgow Women’s Library tour guides to discover the female stars that stud the fabric of the famous Merchant City.
Sunday 20 September, 10am to 12pm

Banner Making

Come along to our banner making sessions to use your arts and crafts skills in a relaxed and creative environment to produce a GWL and WEA banner to be taken on the Gude Cause re-enactment march in October.
Tuesday Afternoons on 22 and 29 September, and 6 October, 1pm to 3pm

Merchant City Festival Women’s Heritage Walk

As part of the 2009 Merchant City Festival you can join Glasgow Women’s Library tour guides in discovering the female stars that stud the fabric of the famous Merchant City.
Sunday 27 September, 2pm to 4pm

Singing for a Gude Cause

GWL and WEA are hosting 2 singing workshops for Gude Cause. The workshops will give you the opportunity to learn the songs for the Gude Cause march re-enactment. The workshops are open to any women who want to be involved whether you feel have singing ability or not!
Wednesday Evenings on 30 September and 7 October, 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Women Writers Unite: Experience Counts

The final in our series of Women Writers Unite events sees women writers come together to read their work and show that “Experience Counts”.
Wednesday 14 October, 7pm to 9pm