From Lucy Hanson to Mabel Matthews A.I.E.E., or: how a Wakefield-born Woman Helped Electrify Britain

The UK’s Electrical Association for Women (EAW) was launched 100 years ago in November 1924. This event explores the role of Wakefield-born engineer Mabel Lucy Matthews in setting up the EAW

Location: West Yorkshire History Centre, 127 Kirkgate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 1JG 

Speakers:

• Katie Carpenter (Lecturer in Public History, School of History, University of Leeds)
• Graeme Gooday (Professor of History of Science & Technology, School of PRHS, University of Leeds)

Very early in the electrification of the home, the need for informing women about the advantages, and the dangers, of this new form of power became apparent. Wakefield-born woman, Mabel Lucy Matthews, met that need by founding the Electrical Association for Women in November 1924, exactly a century ago. For a woman to have a leading role in the world of electrical engineering at this date was unique. For decades after its foundation on 12th November 1924, the UK’s Electrical Association for Women was the UK’s go-to organisation for modernizing domestic energy consumption.   The EAW was so successful at establishing women’s authority in post-fossil fuel electrification, that sibling organisations were launched in the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, and Trinidad & Tobago.

This event is affiliated to the Electric Dreams national project marking the EAW’s Centenary.

Registration is not required. More information can be found here.