Eleanor Rathbone was born in London. She was a member of the famous Rathbone family of Liverpool, of which the actor Basil Rathbone was also a member – he and Eleanor were cousins.
During the First World War, Eleanor organised the Liverpool
Town Hall Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Organisation and also formed the
‘1918 Club’ which apparently still meets. She also campaigned for the
introduction of family allowances to be paid to mothers.
In 1919, on the retirement of Millicent Fawcett, Eleanor
took over as President of the National Union of Societies for Equal
Citizenship, championing the rights of women.
She was a member of Liverpool Council and a Member of Parliament.
2016 marks the 70th anniversary of Eleanor Rathbone’s death.
To celebrate her life, the Rathbone Studio in Argyle Street, Birkenhead, Wirral
is holding an art exhibition inspired by Eleanor Rathbone, for women artists
and is seeking entries.
The exhibition ‘Eleanor, an Inspirational Woman’ will open
on Saturday 30th April and run until Saturday 11th June. Open Tuesday -
Saturday 2.00pm - 5.00pm. There will be a special opening on Friday 29th April
4.00pm - 7.00pm. Submissions should be in by 16th April
Please get in touch if you would like to be part of this
exhibition.
The exhibition is part of the ‘Remembering Eleanor Rathbone’
events that are being held locally and in London. Please see website for more
details: https://rememberingeleanorrathbone.wordpress.com/