Celebrating Glasgow’s local heroes

Glasgow’s women play a vital role at the heart of their local communities, demonstrating a commitment to helping others and creating positive changes, and here is no better example than that of the remarkable Mary Barbour.

Best known for her fierce political activism in Govan, she became a pivotal figure of the Glasgow rent strikes of 1915. Whilst men faced war on the battlefield, Mary fought her own domestic war, courageously leading an army of 20,000 protestors to victory over slum landlords at Glasgow’s Sheriff Court. By 1916, she had inspired the Women’s Peace Crusade, establishing herself as an influential voice of the anti-war movement.

Her valuable contribution to her local community was recognised in 1920 when she was elected to Glasgow Town Council as one of the first female councillors, later establishing herself as a respected magistrate. A pioneer of social reform, she empowered local women by establishing Glasgow’s first family planning centre, The Women’s Welfare and Advisory Clinic.

Mary Barbour is, without doubt, one of Glasgow’s greatest heroes. Resolute in the face of adversity, she campaigned tirelessly throughout her lifetime on behalf of Glasgow’s working class, striving for justice and equality.

Parkhead Housing Association would like to take the opportunity to request nominations for the 2nd Annual Mary Barbour Award. The award has been created to pay homage to Mary Barbour and to celebrate local women following in her footsteps. The association would like to hear about women who dedicate time and effort campaigning for what they believe in, making a positive contribution to communities within Glasgow. Parkhead would also request that you detail the campaign/campaigns your nominee has played a part in, their roles within the campaign and how this has impacted on the local community.

Parkhead hopes that you will join it in celebrating Glasgow’s unsung heroes, giving them the recognition that they deserve.

For candidates to be successfully submitted to the judging panel, they must meet the following criteria:

• The nominee must be a woman
• The impact must be felt within the Glasgow City limits
• The overall impact the candidate has made must be significant and have basis within a local Glasgow community

To request a nomination form, please contact Mitchell Overthrow at Parkhead Housing Association on 0141 556 6226 or email Mitchell.overthrow@parkheadha.org.uk

Closing date for an application is Friday 30 June 2017.