The event will include a celebration of the life and work of Mary Bamber, who in 1911 was one of the first women to be appointed as a union full-time official and became a national organiser of women workers for the National Union of Distributive and Allied Workers, a predecessor union of Usdaw.

John Hannett – Usdaw General Secretary says: “We are delighted a prominent woman from Usdaw’s history will be celebrated at this event. Mary was a socialist activist and women’s campaigner in Liverpool in the early part of the 20^th century. Sylvia Pankhurst described Mary as ‘the finest fighting platform speaker in the country’, but her contribution was greater than that. Mary played a significant role in creating the Labour movement in Merseyside and beyond.

“Women in the North West have always played a vital and inspirational role in shaping trades unions, so in the 150th anniversary year of the TUC and 100 years after women first achieved the vote, it is right to remember some of the women who have played their part in changing the world of work.”

Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 28% over the decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
 
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