{"id":2969,"date":"2022-05-02T08:30:10","date_gmt":"2022-05-02T08:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/dorset-history-centre-blog\/?p=2969"},"modified":"2022-04-28T11:16:15","modified_gmt":"2022-04-28T11:16:15","slug":"emancipation-from-drudgery-for-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/dorset-history-centre-blog\/2022\/05\/02\/emancipation-from-drudgery-for-women\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Emancipation from Drudgery for Women\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 1924 Mabel Lucy Matthews and Caroline Haslett electrical engineers and champion of women\u2019s rights set out to popularize the domestic use of electricity. They, along with other leading female figures from the world of engineering, politics and business, established the Electrical Association for Women.<\/p>\n

The EAW set out to educate women on the range and benefits of electrical appliances in the home with the slogan \u2018emancipation from drudgery for women\u2019 <\/strong>so women could pursue their ambitions beyond the home. Alongside this the association also campaigned for more electrical outlets in homes, better electrical safety and greater understanding of the potential use of electricity as a driver for social change.<\/p>\n

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There was a network of branches across Britain and abroad and records held at the Dorset History Centre represent the existence of branches in Bournemouth, Poole and South Dorset. On reading the Minutes books of these Associations one is struck by the variety of activities and opportunities that the women were involved in. Whilst membership numbers appear to fluctuate, the documents show opportunities to meet other groups from areas such as the Isle of Wight, Reading and Yeovil, as well as attending national conferences for the National Council of Women where they were invited to \u2018man\u2019 a stall. Indeed much is made of visits by Dame Caroline Haslett who set out the aims and achievements of the Association and sought their support in national campaigns. For example, in May 1951 she asked \u2018all branches to write to their MPs asking him to use his influence to have the proposed extra purchase tax on Cleaners and washers cancelled.\u2019 (D-1024\/1\/1\/1) Competitions and awards were organized , including a certificated \u2018Home Workers Course\u2019 and leaflets and publications such as Electrical Age were distributed.<\/p>\n

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The Minute books show the groups also benefitted from support from local businesses including the Southern Electricity Board who even provided a place for the Bournemouth branch to meet -Electric House in Bournemouth. Talks using lantern slides, films and speakers covered a range of topics including:-<\/p>\n