Women's Local Government Society facts for kids

The Women's Local Government Society was a group in Britain that worked to help women get involved in local government. Local government means the people who run towns, cities, and counties. At first, the Society focused on getting women onto county councils. Later, they also helped women get roles in other local government areas, like school boards.

How It Started

This group began with a local voters' association. It was formed by Amelia Charles, Caroline Biggs, Mrs Evans, and Lucy Wilson. Annie Leigh Browne encouraged them to start this group. Their first goal was to get women involved in church politics.

Forming the Society

In November 1888, twelve women created a new group. They called it the Society for Promoting the Return of Women as County Councillors. They met at Sarah Amos's house. Important members included Elizabeth Lidgett and her sister Mary Bunting. Annie Leigh Browne led this new group. They worked to find good women candidates for elections. Elizabeth Lidgett was asked to run for the London County Council in 1889, but she said no.

Growing and Changing Name

Annie Leigh Browne provided money to help the group start. Key members included her, Eva McLaren, the Marchioness of Aberdeen, Louisa Temple Mallett, and Newnham College founder Millicent Garret Fawcett. In 1893, the group changed its name. It became the Women's Local Government Society. This new name showed they wanted women to be involved in all parts of local politics. Their main goal was to get women elected to local government jobs.

Early Successes

One early success was the election of two women. Jane Cobden and Lady Margaret Sandhurst were elected to the London County Council. This was possible because of a law called the Local Government Act 1888. This law did not say women could not be candidates. Later, a court said this was a mistake. The Society tried to change the court's decision, but they were not successful. However, in 1894, new laws allowed women to run for other, smaller roles.

Women and Education

In 1894, Emma Maitland was elected to the London School Board. She represented the area of Chelsea. She was very interested in helping children who were blind or deaf get a good education. School boards were groups that managed local schools.

Changes in Education Laws

The Education Act 1902 got rid of school boards. New groups called local education authorities took their place. The Women's Local Government Society fought for women's rights to serve on these new authorities. They argued that women had been helping on school boards since the 1870s. They felt it was a step backward to stop women from serving. A big victory for the Society came in 1907. This was when the Qualification of Women (County and Borough Councils) Act was passed. This law helped more women get elected to local government roles.