Borthwick Institute exhibition tells the real story of the Women’s Institutes
Posted on 14 September 2006
To celebrate the WI’s history as a dynamic campaigning and educational organisation, the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, is hosting a major touring exhibition. Action Women: The real story of Women's Institutes, at the Borthwick Institute from 16 September to 15 December 2006, is accompanied by a small taster exhibition at York Library.
The exhibitions have been developed by The Women's Library, London Metropolitan University, where the archives of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes are held. Members of North Yorkshire East Federation of Women’s Institutes have written and produced three of the ten exhibition panels. The exhibition features a huge range of visual material from the national and local collections, including photographs, crafts, badges and pamphlets. The Borthwick Institute for Archives is the second and most northerly venue in the exhibition’s national tour.
Borthwick Institute archivist Dr Philippa Hoskin said: "Hosting the exhibition is an exciting opportunity. It will further strengthen links with the local community in York and beyond, as well as helping us to form new partnerships with academic institutions in the UK".
Hosting the exhibition...will further strengthen links with the local community in York and beyond
Dr Philippa Hoskin
The exhibition tells the powerful story of the WI campaigning locally, nationally and internationally. Since the organisation was founded in 1915 members have campaigned on issues including road safety, pollution, food labelling, Keep Britain Tidy and Fair Trade. What emerges is a picture of a well-informed group of women who together have had and continue to have the power to change laws and policies and truly improve people’s lives.
Women’s Institutes provide a network of support, particularly in more isolated areas of rural England and Wales. Margaret Squires, a member of Cawood WI, near Selby, said: "I have gained in confidence and knowledge through being a member for over forty years. I like the feeling of belonging to a worldwide organisation that can influence events."
Action Women will be supported by a programme of events at the Borthwick Institute and York Library, including talks and workshops on citizenship, education and caring for archives, craft demonstrations, a study day and activities for families (please see bottom of release for booking details).
Action Women has been made possible by generous support from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Notes to editors:
- Exhibition opening times at the Borthwick Institute are:
16 September to 1 October: Monday/Wednesday to Friday, 9am to 5.15pm, Tuesday, 9am to 9pm, Saturday, 9am to 6pm, Sunday closed. 2 October to 15 December: Monday to Thursday, 9am to Midnight, Friday, 9am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
To arrange group visits, or book tickets, please contact 01904 321166 or visit www.york.ac.uk/borthwick
Exhibition opening times at York Library are:
Monday: 9.30am - 8.00pm
Tuesday: 9.30am - 8.00pm
Wednesday: 9.30am - 5.30pm
Thursday: 9.30am - 5.30pm (closed 9.30am - 1.00pm first Thursday of each month)
Friday: 9.30am - 8.00pm
Saturday: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Sunday closed.
For more information or, to book tickets contact tel: (01904) 552815 or 552813 or lending@york.gov.uk - Advanced booking for all lectures (and the jewellery-making workshop) at the Borthwick Institute and the York Library is essential. Tickets cost from £2/3. Please contact relevant venue for further details.
- The Borthwick Institute for Archives is one of the biggest archive repositories outside London. During its 50-year history it has collected archives from all around the world, from the 12th century to the present day. Every year it welcomes thousands of visitors who use its archive materials. In January 2005 it opened to the public in new, purpose-built premises, situated next to the J.B. Morrell and Raymond Burton Libraries on the University of York's Heslington campus. The new building was made possible thanks to a generous grant of £4.4 million by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
- The Women's Library at London Metropolitan University, established in 1926, is a cultural centre housing one of the greatest collections of women's history in the world. The collections include posters, banners, books, magazines, photographs and other materials and are a celebration of the women's lives they document. With library, archive and museum resources plus a café and public programmes in an award-winning new building in East London, The Women’s Library is free and welcomes all visitors. For more information, visit www.thewomenslibrary.ac.uk
- The WI is the largest women’s organisation in the UK with 215,000 members in 7,000 WIs. The charity campaigns on issues that matter to women and their communities from children’s diets and human trafficking to healthy eating and the environment. For more information, visit www.womens-instiutewomen’s-institute.org.uk The North Yorkshire Federation of Women’s Institutes came into being in 1983 when the Yorkshire Federation divided into six smaller entities. The Federation now has 111 WIs with about 3,000 members and covers a large area from south of Selby to north of Whitby. The local WIs aim to provide a varied programme of general and specific interest at their monthly meetings, giving members a range of opportunities and learning experiences. For more information visit: www.thewomenslibrary.ac.uk
- The City of York Council has 14 libraries across the city and a mobile library service. York Library was built in 1927 and incorporates both the lending and reference library. We provide computer access, a wide range of books to borrow, CDs and DVDs for hire, newspapers, magazines, learning spaces, family and local history research, room hire, the Well Being collection, reading groups and author events and activities. City of York Libraries are free and welcomes everyone.
- Further Information:
- Charlotte Dew, Project Curator, The Women’s Library - the exhibition and The Women’s Library – 020 7320 1268 / 0776 1650082
- Pat Shotton, Chairman of the membership and training subcommittee, North Yorkshire East Federation of Women’s Institutes (not available 16/9/06 – 1/10/06) The North Yorkshire East Federation and their input into the exhibition – 01904 795953
- Val Illingsworth, Federation Archivist, North Yorkshire East Federation of Women’s Institutes – 01347 888203
- Anne Mortimer, Literature Development Officer, Read Write York - 01904 554316