Event    From 2/7/1888  To 16/7/1888

Matchgirls' strike

A strike of the women and teenage girls working at the Bryant and May Factory. Annie Besant had published an article about the poor working conditions at the factory, 'White Slavery in London'. This angered the management who tried to get the workers to formally refute the article. When they refused the management sacked one of them and the strike was on. They held meetings at Christ Church Hall and were supported by Eleanor Marx, Annie Besant and members of the Fabian Society including Shaw and Sidney Webb.

Diamond Geezer has a much fuller account.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Matchgirls' strike

Commemorated ati

Annie Besant - E3

This plaque was lost sometime July 2021 - August 2022. 

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Bowler plaque - Match Girls

The plaque punningly represents "match girls" - very nice. Hanbury Hall is wh...

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Fairfield Works

This plaque was lost sometime July 2021 - August 2022.

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Hanbury Hall - blue oval plaque

This plaque has a shortened version of the text on the old white plaque.

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Hanbury Hall - white plaque - removed

Christ Church Hall Built in 1719 as a French Hugeonot {sic} church it stood b...

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Other Subjects

Noël Barclay

Noël Barclay

Central President of the Mothers' Union in 1925. We found reference to a publication probably authored by her: Barclay, E. Noel, Marriage and Divorce (1936).

Person, Gender Issues, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Women's Liberal Association

Women's Liberal Association

Women's suffrage movement. It seems that many of these groups merged to form the Liberal Women's Foundation in 1887.

Group, Gender Issues, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Suffragettes

Suffragettes

The wonderful Spitalfields Life published a map on the East End Suffragette activities.  And London Historians has a post 'Parliament and Votes for Women'.

Group, Gender Issues

4 memorials
Hertha Ayrton

Hertha Ayrton

Electrical engineer and suffragist.  Born Phoebe Sarah Marks in Portsmouth.  Aged 16 began teaching in London.  Studied maths at Girton College Cambridge.  Married William Ayrton in 1885.  Elected ...

Person, Gender Issues, Science

1 memorial
Martina Bergman Ősterberg

Martina Bergman Ősterberg

Pioneer of Physical Education for Women. A Swedish supporter of women's rights who settled in London in 1881. She was appointed Superintendent of Physical Education for London's public schools. Wil...

Person, Education, Gender Issues, Sport / Games, Sweden

1 memorial