Red Clydeside: A history of the labour movement in Glasgow 1910-1932

People

Helen Crawfurd, 1925

Helen's early adult life was spent as the wife of a Presbyterian minister and as a devoted Christian. This changed in the early 1900s when Helen was attracted to the cause of women's suffrage and joined Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) to campaign for the vote for women.

Helen's involvement in the women's movement was undoubtedly one of the main factors which contributed to her developing a socialist awareness and in preparing her for life as an activist in the world of radical socialist politics.

As this picture shows Helen Crawfurd had a striking and formidable appearance, she was tall and robust and renowned for wearing stark black dresses at public appearances.

Source: Gallacher Memorial Library, Glasgow Caledonian University Special Collections and Archives