This talk examines the campaign led by Joyce Butler (MP for Wood Green, 1955-1979) to introduce anti-sex discrimination legislation onto the statute book. Now often seen as central to the progressive, reforming agenda of the Wilson governments, this paper instead argues that a campaign of many diverse groups of women--elected representatives from all parties, established women's organisations, the emerging women liberation movement, and 'ordinary' women--was central to its success, and became a rallying point for both conventional and incipient forms of activism. It also uses Butler's correspondence to identify women's own priorities and goals for the legislation and suggest that this campaign helps reimagine women's activism by breaking down the barriers between 'formal' and 'informal' politics at this time.
12.30pm at the Gerry Martin Room of the History Faculty - Please note the change in hour
All welcome!
