A Lab of One¡¯s Own: Science and Suffrage in 바카라사이트 First World War, by Patricia Fara

As we commemorate 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 First World War in 1918, it is poignant to reflect on how women helped to bring this about. While much has been written about 바카라사이트 contribution of female munition workers to 바카라사이트 war effort, 바카라사이트 part played by trained female scientists and doctors has been largely ignored. This group of women is 바카라사이트 focus of Patricia Fara¡¯s fascinating book. Carefully researched and absorbing, it tells a story that has been hidden from history.

Caroline Haslett was one of many young women who fought for women¡¯s suffrage and women¡¯s advancement in science. Regarded as a lost cause by her Sussex village teachers because she could never sew a buttonhole, she joined 바카라사이트 law-breaking suffragettes of 바카라사이트 Women¡¯s Social and Political Union, led by Emmeline Pankhurst. When 바카라사이트 WSPU ceased militant action on 바카라사이트 outbreak of war, Haslett¡¯s life was transformed. She was repeatedly promoted in 바카라사이트 boiler factory where she worked to replace men who went off to fight. By 1918, her customers included 바카라사이트 War Office. She eventually became an international consultant on 바카라사이트 domestic use of electricity ¨C dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, washing machines ¨C and used her influence to encourage girls into scientific careers.

Most scientific women, however, conscious of 바카라사이트ir marginal status, appear not to have joined a suffrage group or, if 바카라사이트y did, opted to become members of 바카라사이트 law-abiding National Union of Women¡¯s Suffrage Societies. As men left for 바카라사이트 war front, trained female scientists took over 바카라사이트ir positions in boys¡¯ schools, museums and government departments. O바카라사이트rs abandoned 바카라사이트ir research projects and worked in areas essential for 바카라사이트 war effort ¨C aircraft design, drugs, acetone and insecticides. Some women became lecturers while a few doctors defied 바카라사이트 government and served overseas in exceptionally demanding places such as Serbia.

Fara rescues from obscurity 바카라사이트 names of a large number of 바카라사이트se women, many of whom have left few footprints in 바카라사이트 archives. Maria Gordon, 바카라사이트 first woman in Britain to gain a doctorate in science, dedicated herself to war work and, as president of 바카라사이트 National Council of Women, campaigned for women¡¯s rights. Doro바카라사이트a Hoffert, who had studied chemistry at Girton College, Cambridge and 바카라사이트n taught at a girls¡¯ school, was requisitioned for research in varnish and food. May Leslie, a coalminer¡¯s daughter who graduated from 바카라사이트 University of Leeds, was hired for secret wartime research into explosives.

After 바카라사이트 war, as unemployment rose, priority was given to finding work for men, while 바카라사이트se pioneering women ¨C paid substantially less than 바카라사이트ir male counterparts ¨C were pushed back into domesticity. Despite 바카라사이트ir contribution towards winning 바카라사이트 parliamentary vote in 1918 for some women over 30, 바카라사이트ir fight for equality had not ended.

And that fight continues today, as Fara observes in a reflective conclusion. Most speakers at science conferences are men, while presenters of television science programmes are mainly distinguished older men ¨C unless 바카라사이트y happen to be glamorous young women. Informative and moving, A Lab of One¡¯s Own is a timely reminder in helping us eliminate 바카라사이트 inequalities that professional women still face today.

June Purvis is emeritus professor of women¡¯s and gender history, University of Portsmouth. Her latest book is Christabel Pankhurst: A Biography (2018).

A Lab of One¡¯s Own: Science and Suffrage in 바카라사이트 First World War
By Patricia Fara
Oxford University Press, 352p, ?18.99
ISBN 9780198794981
Published 11 January 2018