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Authority record
GB 1534 EN1 · Corporate body · 1990-

Engender is Scotland’s feminist membership organisation, a charity working in Scotland and other parts of Europe for equality and women’s rights. Based in Edinburgh, their goals include increased public awareness of sexism and its detrimental effects, equal representation of women in government, and training women activists at a local level. The organisation launched in the early 1990s as a research and campaigning organisation. They involve themselves in all aspects of society, including care, education, employment, health, media, arts, sport, politics, public spaces, social security, abuse and women’s rights. They also run conferences and events, host women’s writing on their blog, and host a podcast: ‘On the Engender.’

GB 1534 EG1 · Corporate body · 1906-

Founded in 1906, the Embroiderer’s Guild is a voluntary charity that aims to collect and teach about embroidery in order to keep the practice alive in today’s declining art curriculum in schools. Originally started in London, other branches began opening across England until eventually the first Scottish Branch formed in Edinburgh (1953), and in 1956 the first Glasgow branch was opened. In addition to offering courses on embroidery, the Guild also has regular meetings for members to attend, as well as giving lectures and creating exhibitions. They also curate a collection of embroidery, consisting of pieces both historical and contemporary from the 16th century onwards, which is currently held at the Bucks County Museum Resource Centre. The Glasgow and District Branch had a 50th anniversary celebration exhibition in 2006, and a 60th anniversary exhibition in 2016.

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.

London Lesbian Line
GB 1534 LL1 · Corporate body · 1977-?

The London Lesbian Line, created in 1977, was a volunteer-run telephone helpline for those needing to talk about their lesbian identity. It was the first of its kind specifically aimed at lesbians, and was subject to calls relating to many aspects of everyday life, including relationships, parenting, religion, mental and physical health, abuse, and substance problems. Though no formal training was given beyond a training programme given by more experience volunteers, the Line was able to refer callers to professional advisors if necessary, and remained a point of contact for which their callers could speak freely. Records indicate the Line was still in operation into the early 2000s.

London Lesbian Line
GB 1534 LL1 · Corporate body · 1977-?

London Lesbian Line, the very first lesbian line in the world, was set up in 1977. It was run by lesbian feminists on a voluntary basis. On April 1 1987, the Women’s Referral Information Services took over all assets and liabilities of the Line and it continued its work as a contact point for lesbians to talk to others about their experiences in all aspects of their life, including relationships, parenting, physical and mental health, prejudice, abuse, ableism, and religion. None of the volunteers had official training beyond a training programme run by more experienced volunteers. Though not a counselling or befriending service, they were in contact with groups to which they could refer callers in need of professional advice. Records show the Line continued operating into at least the early 2000s.

Close the Gap, 2001-
GB 1534 CTG1 · Corporate body · 2001-

Close The Gap was launched by the Social Justice minister and the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Minister on 8 March 2001. It was launched as a campaign to raise awareness about the gender pay gap in Scotland, and has since continued to host conferences and seminars on the subject, provide training and evaluations to ensure companies are able to commit to the equality act, as well as working with trade unions in order to educate and advise their representatives. They are also a prolific source of articles pertaining to the gender pay gap. Originally a partnership initiative, it has operated as a charity since 2017.

GB 1534 LA1 · Person · 1919-2006

Lucilla Andrews (1919 – 2006) was a romance writer who published thirty-five novels throughout her lifetime and is known as having set the standard for romance novels within the genre’s writing community. She was born November 20 1919 in Suez, Egypt, attended boarding school in England, and worked as a military nurse from 1937-1939. During the Second World, she continued working for the British Red Cross, and eventually drew on this wartime experience as inspiration for her writing career. Her first short story was published in 1952, and her first novel was published in 1954, the same year her husband died. After, she continued writing in order to support her daughter. She moved to Edinburgh in 1969 where she continued to live for the rest of her life. She was a founding member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, for which she was honoured with a lifetime achievement award shortly before her death on October 3rd 2006.

GB 1534 IM1 · Person · 27th Dec 1948-5 Dec 2008

Ingrid McClements (Dec 27th 1948 – Dec 5th 2008) was a women’s and racial rights activist who spent her life campaigning for equality in both London and Glasgow. She studied in Leeds before moving to London in 1974, where she worked for Brent Council and was involved in many political events and campaigns, including equal pay, trade union right, setting up the first women’s centre in Brent, was heavily involved in the Working Women’s Charter Campaign. She was also a member of the International Marxist Group. She continued her activism through the 70s and 80s, eventually moving to Glasgow in 1993. There, she worked with the Glasgow Council promoting equality issues and capacity building for voluntary sector organisations. She was also involved in Gara, the Glasgow Anti Racist Alliance, which was established to tackle the social exclusion of young people caused by racism in Glasgow. She continued her activism even after being diagnosed with breast cancer, working tirelessly until her death in December 2008.

GB 1534 SWC1 · Corporate body · 1984-?

The Southwark Women’s Centre was founded in 1984 with the intention of providing support to women residing in the London Borough of Southwark. It was a charity committed to improving the lives of women in the area, including those suffering from poverty or in need of educational or professional advice. The Women’s Centre was also a hub for multicultural gatherings, including Chinese, Black and Indian groups, where they would be able to connect with others and celebrate their native culture, an aspect further reflected in the management of the charity, which included a number of black and Asian staff.

Support groups were also created for lesbians, both young and old, as well as additional attention being given to lesbian mothers, creating a safe space for them to discuss their problems, relax at recreational events, and receive advice on all aspects of life.