Mary Macarthur Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Mary Macarthur (1880-1921) was a pioneering British trade unionist and a tireless campaigner for women’s rights in the early 20th century. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Macarthur moved to London as a young woman and quickly became involved in the labor movement. She dedicated her life to improving working conditions and wages for women, who at the time faced widespread exploitation and discrimination in the workplace.

In 1906, Macarthur founded the National Federation of Women Workers, which became one of the largest unions representing female workers in Britain. She led strikes and negotiations to secure better pay, shorter working hours, and safer conditions for women employed in various industries, including the notorious “sweated trades” like chain-making and box-making. Macarthur’s advocacy also played a crucial role in the passage of the Trade Boards Act of 1909, which established minimum wages for workers in certain industries.

Throughout her career, Macarthur lived at 42 Woodstock Road in Golders Green, a suburb in the Borough of Barnet, London. It was from this modest home that she organized her campaigns and fought for the rights of working women until her untimely death in 1921 at the age of 40. The blue plaque at this address, erected in 2017, serves as a tribute to Macarthur’s incredible legacy and her unwavering commitment to social justice. Her work laid the foundation for future advancements in women’s rights and labor protections in Britain and beyond.