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The woman who took on the slum landlords


Marking International Women’s Day

The Working Class Movement Library will celebrate International Women’s Day on Saturday 5 March at 2pm with a talk by historian Catriona Burness, Remembering Mary Barbour – social reformer, rent strike leader, women’s peace crusader and pioneering woman councillor.

Mary Barbour worked tirelessly to change laws to help families in poverty in Glasgow. Her capacity to mobilise working class families, especially women, to challenge the power of landlords and the state during the 1915 Govan rent strike led to the passing of one of Europe’s first rent restriction acts. She also fought for free school milk, children’s playgrounds, municipal wash-houses, and an end to slum housing.

The event will also feature Karen Bosson, North West Regional Women’s Secretary of the Communication Workers’ Union and member of the TUC NW Women’s Committee, talking on current women trade unionists’ campaigns in this region.

Admission free, light refreshments available.

This event is part of Wonder Women 2016, Manchester’s annual feminist festival, running 3-13 March 2016. Click here for more details.n.

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Editor at large, SalfordOnline.com