Women and philanthropy in the 20th century

Most historical studies of women and philanthropy either end roughly around the time of the First World War or follow a trajectory tracing a transformation from the voluntary sector to professionalised social work.

However, the vital role played by women’s philanthropy in the social services of the twentieth century (notwithstanding the growth of the ‘Welfare State’) is now beginning to be recognised.  Many social issues continued to demand the attention of voluntary services while, for some decades, cultural practices restricting the opportunities for paid work by married women ensured that there remained a ready supply of willing workers.  A survey of Women’s Citizens Association members in 1956-7, aptly titled ‘A Job in Each Hand’, found respondents involved in a wide range of voluntary activities including church work, hospital charities, and care of the elderly, as well as serving in local government and as JPs.

Philanthropic women in the 20th century were still sometimes typecast as ‘Lady Bountifuls’, a derogatory appellation that carried connotations both of class and amateurism.  ‘Noblesse oblige’ may have continued to play a part as late as the mid-twentieth century, for example during the heyday of Lady Reading’s leadership of the Women’s Voluntary Service, but the charitable work done by women was increasingly ‘professional’ in its approach.  

In 1934 Elizabeth Macadam described the ‘New Philanthropy’, based on social scientific research and rigorous training. Philanthropic women in the twentieth century often worked extremely hard and gave up large amounts of time – and money – to support what they saw as progressive social initiatives.  Importantly, they continued to work alongside the statutory services and helped maintain the long-term significance of voluntary action in British society.

Anne Logan is a lecturer in social history at the University of Kent.  She has done research on the work of women magistrates and is writing a book on feminism and criminal justice policy in the period 1920-1970.

Resourcing women

By Ann-Sophie Morrissette

Women dedicating their time, resources and skills for the benefit of other women is an underpinning theme of women and philanthropy in the twentieth century.

Following the Second World War and the subsequent development of the voluntary and community sector alongside the welfare state, the 1970s and 1980s gave birth to services we know today as ‘women’s organisations’. Research by the Women’s Resource Centre (www.whywomen.org.uk) recounts how the Women’s Liberation Movement, in addition to significant gains in public policy and public opinion, brought about “organised, community based services by women, for women”. A self-help, holistic, empowerment approach formed the backbone of women’s organisations during this era, as they actively addressed gaps in state provision.

This legacy lives on in the twenty-first century, with over 11,000 UK charities (7% of all registered charities) working specifically with women – ranging from refuges, employment and training agencies, rape crisis centres, and lobbying organisations.

• Women’s Resource Centre is a national umbrella organisation which supports women’s organisations to be more effective and sustainable.