Co-operative Conversations with Ruth Cohen

Ruth Cohen was invited to discusss her biography of Margaret Llewelyn Davies, who played a crucial part in developing women’s participation in British co-operation, but today does not receive the recognition she deserves.

A feminist, socialist, and pacifist as well as a committed co-operator, Davies was General Secretary of the Women’s Co-operative Guild in England and Wales between 1889 and 1921. She was a dynamic and charismatic figure, whose decision to devote herself to the Guild was judged by G D H Cole to be “a turning point in cooperative history”. Insisting that ‘housewives’ could play a part in public life, she led Guildswomen in radical campaigns on issues ranging from votes for women to women’s wages, maternity services, divorce law reform and more. 

Ruth also spoke about the grass roots Guild members with whom Davies worked, and how they created  what the Manchester Guardian described in 1914 as “probably the most remarkable women’s organisation in the world"..