RESEARCH: Timeline of Women's Rights in Britain

http://www.localhistories.org/womensrightstime.html

Article published: unknown

This article broke down the key events. It also identified famous female figures which I plan to look into in the future. These female figures include:

• Matilda claims the throne of England but ends up having a civil war with another claimant called Stephen. (1135-1154) 
• Mary Tudor becomes Queen of England (first woman in her own right). (1553)
• Amye Everard Ball is the first woman to be granted a patent (for making tinctures from flowers). (1637)
• Margaret Hughes becomes the first professional, female actress. (1660)
• Mary Wollstonecraft publishes "A Vindication of Women's Rights." (1792)
• Alicia Meynell becomes the first recored female jockey. (1804)
• Isabella Bird becomes the first female member of the Royal Geographical Society. (1892)
• Lillian Lindsay becomes the first female to qualify as a dentist, in Britain. (1895) - She then would go on to become the first female President of the British Dental Association. (1946)
• Ethel Charles becomes the first female to qualify as an architect, in Britain. (1898)
• Hertha Ayrton becomes the first female member of the Institution Of Electrical Engineers. (1899)
• Elizabeth Garrett Anderson becomes the first female Mayor of a British town (Aldeburgh). (1908)
• Emily Dawson becomes the first female Magistrate, in Britain. (1913)
• Ivy Williams becomes the first female to be called to the Bar, in England and Wales. (1922)
• Ethel Mary Colman becomes the first female Lord Mayor, in Britain (of Norwich). (1923)
• Margaret Bondfield becomes the first female Cabinet Minister, in Britain. (1929)
• Barbara Mandell becomes the first female newsreader on British television. (1955)
• Rose Heilborn becomes the first female Judge, in Britain. (1956) - She then would go on to become the first female Judge at the Old Bailey. (1972)
• Mary Langdon becomes the first female fire fighter in Britain. (1976)
• Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female Prime Minister of Britain. (1979)
• Mary Donaldson becomes the first female Lord Mayor of London. (1983)
• Pauline Clare becomes the first female Chief Constable, in Britain. (1995)

The article also mentions different key Acts of Parliament, which I found highly intriguing, especially for the nature of my topic. Upon reading this article, I then researched the mentioned Acts of Parliaments, which I compiled into the list below. I aim to investigate these legislations in more detail:

• Mine and Colliers Act 1842 - law bans women and boys under aged ten, from working underground in the mines.
• Factories Act 1847 - women and children could only work ten hours a day, in textile factories.
• Criminal Procedures Act 1853 - Act for the Better Prevention and Punishment of Aggravated Assaults Upon Women and Children is passed. Consequences of a man who beats his wife can be imprisoned for up to six months, with or without hard labour.
• Municipal Franchise Act 1869 - women are allowed to vote in local elections.
• Married Women's Property Act 1870 - married women are legally allowed to keep their own earnings.
• Matrimonial Causes Act 1878 - allows a woman to obtain a separation order from a Magistrate, if her husband is violent.
• Married Women's Property Act 1882 - allows married women to won property in their own right.
• County Councils Act 1888 - allows women to vote in county and borough elections.
• Local Government Act 1894 - allows women to vote in urban district, rural district, and parish councils.
• Representations of the People Act 1918 - allows women over thirty years of age, to vote if they meet a property qualifications.
• The Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 - allows certain professionals to be open to women (e.g: solicitors, barristers, vets, and chartered accountants).
• Equal Pay Act 1970 - equal pay for all workers.
• Sex Discrimination Act 1975 - makes it illegal to discriminate against women in employment, education and training.

In conclusion, I found this article very interesting as it focused on Britain and also gave me the opportunity to research new laws/Acts of Parliament. However, the article was written by an independent author (Tim Lambert), not an organisation or a figure of authority. This made me question the reliability of the article, as the writer gave no sources to where they found the information.

(In the post above, I have noted my findings for further use, all information is from the link at the top of the page.)