Women Make History

A rich array of ways to discover the hidden histories of women.

Throughout our history we have been actively finding ways we can ensure women’s lives, histories and contributions to culture can be discovered and spotlit. Hundreds of projects over the years have enabled us to bring to wider attention the hidden histories of women whether their working lives, their experiences of health and class inequalities, racism, and sexuality. Through longer term programming such as our suite of women’s heritage walks, often involving or led by volunteers, we have brought fascinating and inspiring stories of women’s campaigning and creativity to the fore. We ensure that the idea that ‘women make history’ is reflected in exhibitions, in workshops, in performances, learning opportunities and digitally accessible resources such as Vote 100 and in our Open the Door Festival where lost or overlooked women writers from across Scotland and the world are celebrated and recognised.

Explore some highlights from our heritage projects below, or browse all our Women Make History pages.

Women's Heritage Walks

Our Women's Heritage Walks highlight the hidden histories of trailblazing, hardwork and ingenious women who have inhabited Glasgow over the centuries, from housewives to hawkers, artists to activists, and entrepreneurs to entertainers.

The Making of a Magazine, Sappho Vol. 6, No. 7 (collage detail)

LGBTQ+ Collections Online Resource

Early Lesbian and Gay Publications Feminism and Lesbian Politics We Recruit!Campaigns and Organisations The Personal is PoliticalLesbian Life LGBTQ Life in Scotland Bibliography Welcome to our new online resource which […]

Collage made from different scraps of paper, images and words relating to women's history in Dennistoun, with a tartan ribbon laid across it — Collage made by the Women's History Dennistoun project group

Discovering Women's Heritage in Dennistoun

In October 2021, Glasgow Women’s Library and Lingo Flamingo invited women from Dennistoun to tell us about their own history and share their ideas about what parts of women’s history and lives in Dennistoun could be celebrated.

Black and white photograph of a group of suffragettes gathered on a set of stairs. Many of the suffragettes are wearing tartan sashes. — Suffragettes with tartan sashes, 1908. Image courtesy LSE Library

Vote 100: The Moving Story

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act, GWL has developed an animated web resource highlighting the forgotten heroines who have campaigned for women across the world to have the right to vote. These films are unique animations that showcase not only the achievements of these often overlooked women but also the rich talents of up-and-coming animators from across Scotland. An educational toolkit to accompany the animations will be launched later in the year.

Open the Door

Glasgow Women’s Library is a haven for women writers and readers in Scotland. In this new age dominated by so much excellence in women’s writing, when women are being published internationally, to great acclaim and to great popularity, we want to celebrate a new canon.