From English Heritage: "... founded in 1875 by Mary Townsend as an Anglican organisation that offered care and support to such women, through seven 'lodges' across west London, in areas like Ealing, Kensington and at 5 Bourdon Street, Berkeley Square where young women 'working in shops in the neighbourhood and (who) require a comfortable and safe lodgings' could lodge in separate cubicles. By 1912, places were inadequate to meet demand, 'owing to the remarkable development and rapid increase in the number of professions and occupations open to women, and the consequent necessity of their leaving their homes and living away from their relatives and friends'."
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Girls Friendly Society
Commemorated ati
Girls Friendly Society hostel
This foundation stone is behind railings, hence the squew-whiff photo.
Other Subjects
John Stuart Mill
Philosopher, economist, advocate of women's rights. Born 13 Rodney Street, Pentonville, son of James Mill. Died in Avignon where he had a house. An exponent of Utilitarianism, a theory developed by...
Lord Alfred Douglas
Journalist and poet. Son of the Marquess of Queensbury and lover of Oscar Wilde. Known as Bosie (a nickname given to him by his mother as a derivation of 'boysie'). After Wilde's release from priso...
Lady Jane Francesca Wilde
Born Dublin. Mother of Oscar Wilde. Poet under the pseudonym ‘Speranza’. Supporter of the Irish nationalist movement and advocate of women’s rights. Died 146 (now 87) Oakley Street.
Catherine Walters (Skittles)
"The last Victorian Courtesan". Born Liverpool. Died at home 15 South Street. The Independent says: "Catherine Walters is regarded as the last of the great Victorian courtesans. Lovers were rumoure...
Helena Swanwick
Feminist and pacifist. NUWSS, editor of Common Cause, internationalist, pacifist. Mainly metropolitan based. Born in Munich as Helena Maria Lucy Sickert, sister to Walter Sickert. Married the Man...
Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them