Quiet Revolutionaries Sharon Thompson

This final episode reflects upon the legacy of the Married Women’s Association. As well as exploring the significance of reform in which MWA members played a key part, such as the Matrimonial Homes Act 1967, the relevance of their campaigns are considered in the context of women’s equality today.
 
Music by Axletree.
https://marriedwomensassociation.co.uk/ 

This penultimate episode explores how the Married Women’s Association and Edith Summerskill were powerful forces in delaying the enactment of divorce reform in 1969. By blocking the Divorce Reform Act's passage, it was possible for the association to persuade those in power to redefine family law proposals in feminist terms.
 
Music by Axletree.
https://marriedwomensassociation.co.uk/

MWA Vice-President Teresa Billington-Greig once said that 'reform movements are like builders'; gradually erecting structures in which we can live better lives, one brick at a time. This sixth episode explores how the MWA had some success in reforming the law when pursuing this step-by-step approach. It also tells the story of Lily Ince, a wife sent to prison indefinitely for hiding property from her husband.
 
Music by Axletree.
https://marriedwomensassociation.co.uk/

In 1952, the Married Women's Association (MWA) had a shocking row that made the front pages of national newspapers and led to the resignation of virtually its entire Executive Committee. This was because of the actions of the then-President of the MWA: barrister Helena Normanton. This fifth episode takes a closer look at this fight. And, in the second half of this episode, we learn more about MWA member Doreen Gorsky, who was the first female BBC Executive.
Music by Axletree.

This fourth episode focuses on Dorothy Blackwell's legal battle with her husband over ownership of housekeeping savings in the 1940s. We explore how her story powerfully represented the experiences of many married women just like her, exposed the injustices of the law, and became the Married Women’s Association’s most effective propaganda tool.
Music by Axletree.
https://marriedwomensassociation.co.uk/ 

In this third episode, we will take a closer look at what the Married Women's Association wanted to achieve. The group had evolving ideas about how the law should be reformed to make marriage a more equal partnership.
Music by Axletree.
https://marriedwomensassociation.co.uk/