The Song Of The Shirt
Hundreds of thousands of women earned a living by needle in Victorian Britain, plying their trade in small workshops or their own modest dwellings. From the 1840s, the figure of the 'distressed seamstress' became a a subject for sentimental depictions of the gentlewoman 'fallen on hard times'.
The Chain-Maker
Thousands of women worked in domestic forges across the black country, labouring in hot and dangerous conditions for low pay, often with young children at their side.
In 1910 the Cradley Heath chain-makers went on strike for 10 weeks, bringing about employer recognition of higher rate piece-work.
In 1910 the Cradley Heath chain-makers went on strike for 10 weeks, bringing about employer recognition of higher rate piece-work.
Putting Up Her Plate
Women's battle for equal status in the medical profession was hard fought. By the eve of WWI there were more than 900 women doctors in Britain but progress stalled in the 1920s and it was difficult for women to secure posts.
GP specialty became attractive to women who could work from home and set their own hours and working practices.
GP specialty became attractive to women who could work from home and set their own hours and working practices.
The Female Author
Writing at home for money was a 'respectable' pursuit for educated women, as long as they did not stray outside suitably 'feminine' themes and genres.
Because it could be done in the home, writing allowed a woman to remain within her 'proper' sphere, avoiding public censure. This perpetuated the idea of the amateur 'lady author' whose work had low literary merit.
Because it could be done in the home, writing allowed a woman to remain within her 'proper' sphere, avoiding public censure. This perpetuated the idea of the amateur 'lady author' whose work had low literary merit.
Odd-Workers
Women's work in WWII is often depicted through iconic images of smiling munition-makers, fresh faced land girls and glamorous lady pilots. Little remembered is the contribution made by home-workers to war production.
Schemes were introduced by government to target women whose domestic duties prevented them from factory work with basic training provided.
Schemes were introduced by government to target women whose domestic duties prevented them from factory work with basic training provided.
Avon Calling
Direct selling in the home flourished in the 1960's with American companies like Avon recruiting thousands of women as sales reps.
With a husband in full time work and children at school, the housewife made the ideal seller and consumer. In reality, women worked long hours for little commission, covering costs from their own pockets.
With a husband in full time work and children at school, the housewife made the ideal seller and consumer. In reality, women worked long hours for little commission, covering costs from their own pockets.
The Childminder
Throughout the 20th century 'minding' was a popular form of childcare for working mothers. Children were often left with family or neighbours who took up minding as a way to earn a bit extra.
Only recently have minders been recognised as professionals, rather than women doing what every woman is assumed to be 'naturally' capable of doing.
Only recently have minders been recognised as professionals, rather than women doing what every woman is assumed to be 'naturally' capable of doing.
The Garment Worker
The 1970s witnessed a resurgence of industrial homework in Britain. Women were often employed from migrant communities to sew in workshops or at home.
Despite low pay and benefits, home-workers were supported by unions, feminist activists and progressive councils who demanded proper employment rights.
Despite low pay and benefits, home-workers were supported by unions, feminist activists and progressive councils who demanded proper employment rights.
Electronic Cottages
The 1980s saw a rise in networked home computing. Mostly white collar professionals and better paid than manual labour, this new brand of female home-worker saw problems of isolation and poor job security.
Remote workers generally had lower salaries and were promoted less rapidly.
Remote workers generally had lower salaries and were promoted less rapidly.
The Mumpreneur
A term coined in the mid 1990s to describe a female business entrepreneur,
The Mumpreneur runs her start-up from home and sells services and products directly inspired by her experiences as a mother.
This term has proved divisive with those insisting that their identity as business owners is unrelated to their maternal status.
The Mumpreneur runs her start-up from home and sells services and products directly inspired by her experiences as a mother.
This term has proved divisive with those insisting that their identity as business owners is unrelated to their maternal status.
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