Women’s Activism in Twentieth-Century Britain

This book serves as an introduction to the extraordinary diversity of women’s activism. Paula Bartley's original research is supported by a range of writing to provide a powerful impression of the actions taken by groups of women from across the social and political spectrum, making the book invaluable to both students and interested readers. These women set out to make a difference to their locality, their country and sometimes the world. The story of women’s activism embodies stimulating accounts of progress and reversals, of commitment and uncertainty, of competing rights and challenging wrongs. The story of women’s activism is not tidy or well-ordered. It is messy and unorthodox. And full of surprises.

“The book offers considerable geographical diversity with Bartley assessing the presence and impact of women’s activism within the home nations, as well as highlighting the different economic contexts across England. … Women’s Activism in Twentieth-Century Britain is a valuable work in its surveying of the century from the perspective of not only those women who were nationally significant to political developments, but also the organisations that worked at grassroots, local levels to change the position of women in society.” (Amy Longmuir, Women's History Review, July 27, 2023)

“Women's Activism is an accessible and engaging read and makes an important contribution to the historiography. It is essential reading for students, academics and general readers interested in modern British women's history.” (Lisa Berry-Waite, Gender & History, June 20, 2023)

“This book will, I am sure, become a core textbook for students, researchers, teachers, and general readers interested in twentieth-century British Women’s History and Politics. This will be facilitated by Women’s Activism in the Twentieth Century having been produced in both paperback and electronic form at a price which is accessible.” (Maggie Andrews, 20th Century British History, February 7, 2023)

“I read Women’s Activism in Twentieth Century Britain as an activist who believes strongly in telling my history – and that of my community – and as a socialist, feminist and trade unionist. It is an ambitious book which sometimes made me feel overwhelmed with the inclusion of so much history. … This is so important-as is this book-as Paula concludes ‘Without new research and these fresh interpretations, there is a real danger that history itself-not just the people in the past-will perish.’” (lipsticksocialist.wordpress.com, May 9, 2022)

“A compelling history of the women who marched, fasted and stormed bastions of male politics and society for suffrage, workers’ rights, control over their bodies, even the right to serve in bars. Paula Bartley reminds us once again of their courage and fortitude, of campaigns big and small, and how much we owe these pioneers. It also tells us that the fight is not yet over.”

-Shrabani Basu, Journalist, historian, and best-selling author

“This book is a really enjoyable read. It also reminds us that it is not powerful men, or even women, that make history but activists that create the waves. And it is also clear, not all women are progressive.”

-Clare Short, Former Labour MP and Secretary of State

“This is a very welcome addition to a growing library of studies of women in modern British political history, as Bartley's fresh approach tells a multi-dimensional story of women’s political engagement. She synthesizes women’s activism from points across the political spectrum, including both far Left and far right women, and the many in between, acknowledging that not all women’s political engagement has been ‘progressive’ or feminist. She offers her own insight and experience too as historian-activist, which adds depth and authenticity to this valuable study."

-Julie Gottlieb, Professor in Modern History, University of Sheffield, UK

Paula Bartley is a feminist historian who has written widely on, and promoted, women’s history. Her books include Ellen Wilkinson (2014), Queen Victoria (2016) and Labour Women in Power: Cabinet Ministers in the Twentieth Century (Palgrave, 2019). She is a former judge and Chair of the Women’s History Network book prize.