Rose Heilbron
Rose Heilbron became the first woman judge when she was appointed Recorder of Burnley in 1956.
The Matchworkers’ Strike at Bryant and May (1888)
The Matchworkers’ Strike at Bryant and May in 1888 led to legislative improvements to protect women in the workplace and demonstrated that women could play a key role in gaining important rights through collective workplace bargaining.
Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885, section 5(1)
The Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 raised age of consent for girls to 16.
Married Women’s Property Act 1882
The Married Women’s Property Act 1882 gave married women ability to own and manage property independently of their husbands.
Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act 1857
The Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act 1857 introduced civil divorce and separation.
The Slave, Grace (1827)
The Slave, Grave, a case about the emancipation of (women) slaves, is a forerunner of campaigns for the emancipation of women.
Gaol Act 1823
The Gaol Act 1823 regulated the management of gaols across England and Wales, providing regulations applying specifically to the circumstances of women prisoners
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792)
Published in 1792, Wollstonecraft’s ‘A Vindication of the Rights of Woman’ was a pioneering call for equality.
Married Women’s Property Act 1964
The Married Women’s Property Act 1964 established that housekeeping money belongs jointly to husband and wife.
R v Jackson (1891)
R v Jackson abolished husband’s legal entitlement to compel a wife to live with him and to use physical force against her.