Ellen Wilkinson MP archive exploration

Join us for an archive exploration day to mark the centenary of Labour MP Ellen Wilkinson’s election to parliament, and discover more about Ellen’s life, activism, and the causes that were important to her.

Nicknamed ‘Red Ellen’ for the colour of her hair and her commitment to socialist ideas, Ellen was a strong advocate for social justice, women’s rights, workers’ rights, and education reform.

Delve into PHM’s incredible archive material, featuring:

• First World War; letters dating from 1915, when Ellen was Manchester and District representative of the Women’s Emergency Corps
• The Labour Woman (1913-1971); a monthly magazine of the Women’s Labour League which Ellen regularly wrote for in the 1930s
• Jarrow Marches (5-31 October 1936); press cuttings, letters, photographs, plus a souvenir programme
• Spanish Civil War (1936-1939); correspondence from the period concerning the supply of weapons and concern over the British non-intervention treaty
• Education; correspondence with the General Secretary of the Labour Party when Ellen was Minister of Education in the 1945 government

Discover a significant series of Ellen’s scrapbooks, full of press clippings from around 1924 to her death, which offer a fascinating record of her life and work.

Explore a mini pop-up exhibition commissioned by the Mechanics Institute and curated by historians Helen Antrobus and Dr Tessa Chynoweth on Ellen's incredible achievements.

Suitable for 16+ (under 18s must have an accompanying adult).

• Drop in any time during the session you choose
• If you require British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation and/or Audio Description please contact [email protected] or 0161 838 9190

Host or Publisher People's History Museum