Bloody Brilliant Women

History is written by the victors – but what happens when half the population is left out of the story? Bloody Brilliant Women rewrites the narrative, giving long-overdue recognition to the women who shaped modern Britain.

1. Victorian Marriage Laws: A Fight for Autonomy

During the Victorian era, marriage laws in Britain stripped women of their independence, treating them as property. Coverture laws meant that a woman’s legal identity was absorbed by her husband’s upon marriage. She couldn’t own property, make a will, or even retain custody of her children. This legal framework left women vulnerable and powerless in their own homes.

The tide began to turn in the late 19th century. The Married Women’s Property Act of 1870 allowed women to keep earnings and inheritances, marking a small but significant step toward autonomy. The Matrimonial Causes Act of 1884 further chipped away at male dominance by forbidding husbands from imprisoning their wives for refusing sex. The landmark Jackson Abduction case in 1891 reinforced this shift, as the courts ruled against a husband who had kidnapped and confined his wife to force her into marital compliance.

These legal changes were hard-won and slow, but they laid the groundwork for future reforms. By the early 20th century, women were no longer entirely at the mercy of their husbands, though full equality was still a distant dream.

Examples

• Coverture laws rendered women legally invisible after marriage.
• The 1870 Married Women’s Property Act allowed women to keep their earnings.
• The Jackson Abduction case of 1891 challenged the idea of male control in marriage.

2. World War I: Women Prove Their Worth

The First World War created an unprecedented demand for labor, and women stepped up to fill the void left by men who went to fight. They worked in factories, served as nurses, and took on roles previously deemed unsuitable for their gender. This period marked a turning point in how society viewed women’s capabilities.

Women’s contributions were not limited to the home front. Figures like Edith Cavell, a nurse who helped Allied soldiers escape German-occupied Belgium, became symbols of bravery and sacrifice. The war effort also gave suffragettes like Millicent Garrett Fawcett an opportunity to argue that women deserved the vote, as they had proven their value to the nation.

By 1918, the Representation of the People Act granted voting rights to women over 30 who met property qualifications. It was a limited victory, but it acknowledged women’s role in society and set the stage for further progress.

Examples

• Women filled 25,000 jobs at the Woolwich Arsenal by 1917.
• Edith Cavell was executed for aiding Allied soldiers, becoming a martyr for women’s contributions.
• The 1918 Representation of the People Act enfranchised 8.4 million women.

3. Interwar Years: The Push for Reproductive Rights

After World War I, women were expected to return to domestic roles, but many resisted. Activists like Marie Stopes and Stella Browne campaigned for reproductive rights, challenging societal norms that confined women to motherhood. Stopes opened the first family planning clinic in 1921, providing contraception and advice to working-class women.

The interwar period also saw legal advancements. The 1923 Matrimonial Causes Act gave women equal grounds for divorce, and the 1928 Equal Franchise Act granted voting rights to all women over 21. These changes reflected a growing recognition of women’s autonomy, though progress was uneven and often met with resistance.

Despite these gains, reproductive rights remained a contentious issue. The Abortion Law Reform Association, founded in 1936, pushed for legalized abortion, but it would take decades for their efforts to bear fruit.

Examples

• Marie Stopes’ clinic provided contraception to working-class women.
• The 1923 Matrimonial Causes Act allowed women to divorce on equal terms.
• The 1928 Equal Franchise Act enfranchised all women over 21.

4. World War II: Women on the Home Front

World War II saw women once again stepping into roles traditionally held by men. They worked in factories, served in civil defense, and even contributed to engineering innovations. Beatrice Shilling, for example, developed a device that improved the performance of British fighter planes, demonstrating women’s technical expertise.

Despite their contributions, women faced discrimination. They earned less than men for the same work and were excluded from war injury compensation. Activists like Mavis Tate and Edith Summerskill fought for equal treatment, achieving some success in 1943 when the government amended the War Injury Compensation Act to include women.

The war highlighted women’s capabilities but also underscored the inequalities they faced. It set the stage for post-war debates about gender roles and equality.

Examples

• Beatrice Shilling’s invention improved British fighter planes during the war.
• Women made up 35% of the engineering workforce by 1943 but earned only 55% of men’s wages.
• The War Injury Compensation Act was amended in 1943 to include women.

5. Post-War Welfare: A Mixed Blessing

The post-war period brought significant social reforms, including the creation of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948. The NHS provided universal healthcare, benefiting working-class women who had previously lacked access to medical care. It also offered education on reproductive health, addressing widespread ignorance about women’s bodies.

However, the return of soldiers from the front created tensions at home. Many men struggled to adjust to their wives’ newfound independence, leading to a surge in divorce rates. Women who had gained confidence and skills during the war were reluctant to return to traditional domestic roles.

This period was a turning point, as women began to demand more from their personal and professional lives, setting the stage for the feminist movements of the 1960s.

Examples

• The NHS provided free healthcare, benefiting working-class women.
• Divorce rates peaked at 60,000 in 1947 due to post-war tensions.
• Psychologists documented the struggles of returning soldiers and their families.

6. The Sexual Revolution: Freedom and Controversy

The 1960s brought new freedoms for women, thanks to the introduction of the contraceptive pill and the legalization of abortion in 1967. These changes allowed women to take control of their reproductive lives, making sex less about procreation and more about personal choice.

This era also saw the rise of Second Wave feminism, with writers like Germaine Greer and Betty Friedan challenging traditional gender roles. Their works sparked debates about women’s place in society and inspired a new generation of activists.

While these changes were liberating for many, they also faced backlash from conservative elements of society. The sexual revolution was a time of both progress and conflict, as women pushed boundaries and redefined their roles.

Examples

• The contraceptive pill became widely available in the 1960s.
• The 1967 Abortion Act legalized abortion in most of the UK.
• Germaine Greer’s The Female Eunuch critiqued societal expectations of women.

7. Margaret Thatcher: A Divisive Figure

Margaret Thatcher’s rise to power as the UK’s first female prime minister was groundbreaking, but her policies did little to advance women’s rights. She believed in meritocracy and dismissed the feminist movement, cutting funding for the Equal Opportunities Commission and opposing tax allowances for working mothers.

Thatcher’s success was partly due to her privileged background, which allowed her to pursue a career while raising a family. Her disdain for feminism alienated many women, though her leadership inspired others to aim for positions of power.

Thatcher’s legacy is complex. While she broke barriers, her policies often reinforced the status quo, leaving many women behind.

Examples

• Thatcher became the UK’s first female prime minister in 1979.
• She cut the Equal Opportunities Commission’s budget in 1980.
• Her opposition to feminism alienated many women.

8. The Legacy of Feminist Activism

The freedoms women enjoy today are the result of decades of activism. From the suffragettes to Second Wave feminists, women have fought tirelessly for equality, often in the face of overwhelming opposition. Their efforts have reshaped laws, challenged societal norms, and inspired future generations.

9. The Ongoing Fight for Equality

Despite progress, the fight for gender equality is far from over. Women continue to face challenges in the workplace, at home, and in society. The history of feminist activism serves as a reminder that change is possible but requires persistence and solidarity.

Takeaways

1. Educate yourself about the history of women’s rights to better understand current challenges.
2. Support policies and organizations that promote gender equality.
3. Challenge societal norms and stereotypes that limit women’s opportunities.