(1910 – 2002)
Like buses, there’s none for ages then two Labour party MP’s arrive at once. And so, to number 2 of 2. Barbara served as a Member of Parliament for Blackburn from 1945-1979 making her one of the longest serving female MP’s in British history, keeping her seat for 34 years. Over that time she held five high-profile government posts.
Appointed Minister of Transport in 1965, she was responsible for the introduction of breathalysers, compulsory seat belts and 70mph national speed limits which remain to this day.
In 1968 she became Secretary of State for Employment, working on equal pay legislation. Barbara was celebrated for her successful intervention over the strike by Ford sewing machinists in Dagenham against gender pay discrimination, speaking out in support of the strikers.
As Secretary of State for Health and Social Services she introduced the Carer’s Allowance and oversaw the passing of the Child Benefit Act.
After her House of Commons career, she became a Euro-MP and later a member of the House of Lords, having been granted a life peerage in 1990. She remained active in politics until her death in 2002 at the age of 91.
The statue depicts her carrying the Equal Pay Act documentation, a tribute to the fact that she oversaw the passage of its implantation in 1970. Quite a hefty load to be carrying.
WomenstatuesUK 