Politics (Local and National) and Community
Plymouth women were politically active certainly from the middle of the nineteenth century, and they threw themselves into the opportunities provided by the legislation opening up both national and local politics to women. Women stood for election as Councillors, and their involvement with politics was encouraged by Plymouth having the first woman MP to take her seat, Nancy Astor. Lady Astor was, until her death, a huge encourager of local women to participate in politics, mentoring several of the figures on this list. Successive MPs, including Linda Gilroy, Joan Vickers and Janet Fookes, were similarly encouraging.
Alison Seabeck (1954 to present) London-born, she worked at the House of Commons where, amongst other things, she became a member of the Fawcett Society and the Labour Women’s Network. She was selected as the Labour candidate for Plymouth Devonport, and was elected in 2005, becoming… Read More »Alison Seabeck
Alderman Joan Stopporton (c1929-2016) Joan Stopporton was elected to the Plympton St Mary Ward of Plymouth in 1979, and served 18 years as Councillor, being appointed an Alderman in 2000. She was Lord Mayor of Plymouth 1997-1998.
Joan Vickers, Baroness Vickers, DBE (1907-94) Conservative MP for Plymouth Devonport 1955-74, she was an enthusiastic adopted Plymothian, and a dedicated constituency MP. Like Nancy Astor, she was never a ‘reliable’ Conservative MP, voting according to her conscience especially on issues relating to women’s interests, especially… Read More »Joan Vickers