Showing 44 results

Authority record
NWN1 · Corporate body · 1985 - 2000

The National Women’s Network for International Solidarity (NWN) was a feminist networking group focused on facilitating contact for women concerned with international issues. The network was formed in 1985 during the run up to the Third World Conference in Nairobi, and was officially established in 1995. It was a non-profit organisation coordinated by volunteers and funded by grants and membership subscriptions. It aimed to connect women’s groups and individuals, and promote feminist solidarity for women’s organisations in the UK and abroad. The network also campaigned for change in the policies of governments, aid agencies and other institutions. The group dissolved in 2000 due to lack of finance.

GB 1534 NA1 · Corporate body · 1920 -

Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) is a civilian branch of the British Army that was created in 1920 by merging the Expeditionary Force Canteens (EFC) and the Navy and Army Canteen Board (NACB) to run the recreational premises required by the armed forces, and to sell goods to serviceman and their families. It grew exponentially at the outbreak of WW2, and afterwards expanded to include hotels and holiday camps for military families. King George VI granted his patronage in 1946, and Queen Elizabeth II did the same in 1952. It was also a large-scale distribution operation up until the 1990s, running tea factories, bottling plants, bakeries, abattoirs and butchers. Today, it continues to support the British Army both at home and abroad.

Outwrite Women’s Newspaper
Corporate body · 1982-1988

Outwrite newspaper, produced by a collective of women throughout the 1980s, was dedicated to offering news by women, for women. Self-defined as an ‘internationalist feminist’ publication, the paper focused on ‘the development of feminism worldwide’ and an examination of women’s oppressions ‘in the context of imperialism, racism and class divisions.’

Liberation struggles across Latin America, southern Africa, Palestine, Bangladesh and India, as well as local campaigns including those of Southall Black Sisters, the Sari Squad and the King’s Cross Women’s Centre were regularly featured in Outwrite’s monthly reports. The transnational community Outwrite envisioned and embodied resonates powerfully with the social justice struggles of today.

Shocking Pink!
Corporate body · 1981-1982; 1987-1992

Shocking Pink! was a zine written by and for young women, with an emphasis on topics like contraception, abortion, sexuality, lesbianism, queer issues, violence against women, feminist arts and culture, skill sharing (e.g. how to form a band, a women's group etc.), racism, women's rights, politics, and more.

GB 1534 SU1 · Corporate body · c. 1890 - 1980

The Socialist Sunday School was an educational organisation created in Glasgow in the 1890s in order to teach children and young people the ideals and principals of socialism. Though associated with political stances instead of a religious one, the Schools adhered to a "religion of love’" perspective, pushing for equality and peace, and giving the younger generation the tools they needed to help bring the ideals of socialism to fruition. Children attended meetings, recorded minutes, were taught through literature, music and art, and were encouraged to form their own opinions, ask questions, and become active, conscientious people. Furthermore, the organisation was committed to women’s equality. Girls were treated equally in schools and the movement recognised a less stereotypical role for women. Women activists and equality campaigns were frequently referencedin the Sunday School’s magazine ‘Young Socialist’, and those who attended the School attribute its practice in equality to have informed their views on gender relations. The schools were renamed ‘The Socialist Fellowship’ in 1965, but due to a lack of adult support, the last traces of the movement were extinguished in 1980.

Spare Rib
Corporate body · 1972-1993

Spare Rib was a second-wave feminist magazine and an active part of the emerging Women’s Liberation Movement in the late 20th century. Running from 1972-1993, this now iconic magazine challenged the stereotyping and exploitation of women, while supporting collective, realistic solutions to the hurdles women faced.

GB 1534 SWL1 · Corporate body · c. 1970 - 1980

The St Andrews Women’s Liberation Group was a feminist activist group active from the 1960s – 1980s that tackled issues related to lesbians, parenthood, finances, education, abortion, abuse, assault, politics, society, and women’s independence. The first official meeting was on the 5th November 1970. Newsletters were circulated discussing various views of feminism, the difference between “radical” and “socialist” feminism, and published articles further exploring the best way to campaign for women’s equality in Scotland. Furthermore, national conferences were held with other Women’s Liberation Groups in order to help define the feminist agenda, and, on a personal level, consciousness raising groups were held for women to meet and discuss their feelings and desires.

Take Root
TR · Corporate body · 1993 - 2000s

Take Root was a self-build group which existed from 1993 to the early 2000s. It was formed from staff from the Glasgow Women’s Library and aimed to provide women on low income, and in need of housing, the opportunity to build their own homes. It followed the work of Walter Seagal, the architect who pioneered easy-to-build, cheap houses with timber frames.

GB 1534 MA1 · Corporate body · 1994-2007

The Meridian was Glasgow’s first women's centre focused on black, Asian and minority ethnic women. Started in 1994, the Meridian aimed to empower women to live their own lives through education—including lifelong learning programmes, as well as health and language education—as well as offering communal events for women to connect and socialise, such as dances and celebrations from many different cultures. Creche and summer events were also offered to support with child care. It closed down in 2007.