Helen Chenevix facts for kids

Helen Chenevix (born November 13, 1886 – died March 4, 1963) was an Irish woman who fought for women's right to vote (a suffragist) and for better working conditions (a trade unionist).

In 1911, she worked with her friend Louie Bennett to create the Irish Women's Suffrage Federation. This group helped women get the right to vote. Later, they also started the Irish Women Workers' Union, which helped women workers.

Helen Chenevix was also elected to the Dublin Corporation, which is like the city council for Dublin. She even served twice as the acting Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1942 and 1950. In 1951, she became the President of the Irish Trades Union Congress, a big group for trade unions. From 1955 to 1957, she was the Secretary of the Women Workers' Union. She also worked with the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and the Irish Pacifist Movement, which promoted peace.

Early Life and Education

Helen Sophia Chenevix was born on November 13, 1886, in Blackrock, a town in County Dublin. Her father, Henry Chenevix, was a Bishop in the Church of Ireland. Her mother was Charlotte Sophia, whose maiden name was Ormsby.

Helen went to Alexandra College in Milltown, Dublin. Her friend and partner in work, Louie Bennett, had also studied there many years before. Helen then continued her studies at Trinity College. She was one of the first women to graduate from Trinity College, earning a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in 1909.

Helen became very interested in the movement for women's right to vote. She was a very important member of the Irish Women's Suffrage Federation. Helen led many marches and discussions about women's rights. She often worked closely with Louie Bennett on these activities. In the 1910s, ideas like socialism (fairness for all people) and feminism (equal rights for women) were becoming popular. This helped groups like the Irish Women's Suffrage Federation gain more support.

Helen's Personal Life

Helen Chenevix was the only child of her parents, Henry and Sophia. Her family lived comfortably in South Dublin and did not have money problems because her father was a Bishop. When she helped start the Irish Women's Suffrage Federation with Louie Bennett, she was still living with her parents in their Dublin home.

Helen and Louie Bennett were always together, working on projects and supporting each other. They were very close friends and partners in their work. It is believed they were a couple. Louie Bennett moved into the house next to Helen's, and they also lived together for a while. Helen cared for Louie before Louie passed away in 1956. Helen wrote about Louie Bennett, saying she was "the best loved woman in Dublin" and that "Peace and Freedom were her twin ideals."

Helen Chenevix died on March 4, 1963.

Helen's Career and Activism

A bench in St Stephen's Green, Dublin, honoring Louie Bennett and Helen Chenevix.

Helen Chenevix was a strong activist for women's rights. In 1911, she helped create the Irish Women's Suffrage Federation. This group supported other organizations, like the Irish Women's Reform League in Dublin and the Women's Suffrage Society in Belfast.

Helen believed that children should stay in school longer. She campaigned in the 1920s for the school leaving age to be raised to 16 years old. She understood that poorer families might struggle with this, so she also asked for financial help for them.

In 1916, Helen co-founded the Irish Women's Workers Union. By 1918, this group was officially recognized as a trade union and had over 5,000 members. Their main goal was to help women who worked in bad conditions. They talked with employers to get better pay and shorter working hours for women.

In 1945, Helen, Louie Bennett, and other members of the Irish Women's Worker's Union led a strike. This strike was because of the terrible working conditions in laundries. The strike was successful and lasted for three months. Because of their efforts, all workers in Ireland were given two weeks of paid holidays each year. Helen and Louie Bennett were highly praised for being "strong, powerful women" for leading this important strike.

In 1949, Helen Chenevix became the vice president of the Irish Trades Union Congress. In 1951, she was appointed its president.

Helen was also elected to the Dublin Corporation, which is the local government for Dublin city. She served twice as the acting Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1942 and 1950. She was also active in the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and the Irish Pacifist Movement, working for peace around the world.

After Louie Bennett retired in 1955, Helen took over her position as the general secretary of the Irish Women's Worker's Union.

Later Life and Legacy

After retiring from the Irish Women Workers’ Union in 1957, Helen Chenevix focused on working for peace and nuclear disarmament. This meant trying to get rid of nuclear weapons.

Helen Chenevix's death certificate.

One memorable event in Helen's later life happened at a conference of the Irish Trades Union Congress and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. A big argument started when some people said that the idea of world peace was a "communist" idea. Helen, who was described as a "frail, gentle, grey-haired figure," walked up to the stand. The conference was very noisy. As she spoke calmly and clearly about the need for peace, the noise began to stop. When she finished, the room filled with loud applause. Her idea for peace, which some had called "communist," was finally understood and passed by everyone.

Helen Chenevix worked tirelessly throughout her life. She fought for women's rights, to make working conditions better for Irish women, and for a peaceful world without war. She worked right up until her death. She was made a member of the Industrial Accidents Commission just three days before she passed away.

Helen died of brain cancer on March 4, 1963, at Walkinstown Hospital. She was buried in Deansgrange Cemetery on March 7, 1963. Her funeral was held at Monkstown Parish Church. Many important people attended, including members of the Dáil (Irish Parliament) and Senate, representatives from trade unions, and many of Helen's personal friends.

Remembering Helen Chenevix

Another view of the bench honoring Louie Bennett and Helen Chenevix in St Stephen's Green Park, Dublin.

A special bench has been placed in St Stephen's Green park in Dublin. It honors Helen Chenevix and Louie Bennett for their hard work in fighting for women's rights. The bench has words that say: Also of her lifelong friend and co-worker Helen Chenevix, 1888 - 1963 who shared the same high ideals. After Helen's death, the two women were called "Two of the most remarkable Irish women of this century."

A tribute in The Irish Times newspaper said that Helen Chenevix "will be missed not only for the work she did, but for the noble qualities she possessed. Her friends will have a deep and irreparable sense of loss."

On International Women's Day in 2015, a walking tour was organized by Ingenious Ireland. This tour celebrated the lives of Helen Chenevix, Louie Bennett, Helena Molony, and Kathleen Clarke. It honored their important work, especially for the women who worked in laundries. The tour was called "Obstreporous Lassies" and focused on the work of the Irish Women Workers' Union.

Images for kids

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  A bench in St Stephen's Green, Dublin, honoring Louie Bennett and Helen Chenevix.

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  Helen Chenevix's death certificate.

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  Another view of the bench honoring Louie Bennett and Helen Chenevix in St Stephen's Green Park, Dublin.

See also

In Spanish: Helen Chenevix para niños