#BhamWomen
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theironroom.bsky.social
#BhamWomen today is Kate Freeman who according to a Birmingham Post article dated 11 July 1972 retired after 45 years at the Birmingham Rep. Ref – B’ham Bio Cuttings Vol. 67 #LibraryofBham #BirminghamRep
A newspaper article. Headline is A Backward Glance at 45 Years in the Rep Evolution by Linda Millington. Text below regarding Kate Freeman’s retirement. Beneath this is a headshot of a female wearing glasses.
September 30, 2026 at 8:15 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#BhamWomen Dr Winifred Cavenagh became only the second female professor at Birmingham University at the time according to this Birmingham Post article from 10 June 1972. Ref – Birmingham Biography Cuttings Vol. 67 #LibraryofBham @unibirmingham.bsky.social
A newspaper article. Heading – Dr. Cavenagh gets university chair. Text on the left side of the article and an insert of a photograph of a female on the right.
September 24, 2026 at 9:00 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#BhamWomen is back with Enid Parsons of Spark Hill who at the age of 17 was whisked off to America to join the Ziegfeld Follies on a £1,000 a year salary which was quite a sum in 1926. Ref - Birmingham Despatch, 24.2.1926/ Birmingham Biography vol 13 #LibraryofBham
A newspaper article -handwritten date at the top is 24.2.26. Title is Birmingham’s Zeigfeld Folly. Below is a photograph of a young woman sat side saddle. She is holding a dress close to her chest and her shoulders are bare. She is wearing a Flapper style dress and her hair is in ringlets. The text of the article is beneath this.
September 10, 2026 at 8:15 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#CityOf1000Trades #BhamWomen Mary Rollason & Sons of Steelhouse Lane. Rollason (1764/5 – 1835) was a Birmingham businesswoman who dealt in china, cut glass and brass items. Ref: MS 4834/123 #LibraryofBham
A trade card. Title at the top is Mary Rollason & Sons. China, glass and earthenware warehouse. Numerous paragraphs below this detailing the wares sold by the company.
September 12, 2026 at 9:15 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#BhamOrgan #BhamWomen Christine Smye was the first woman elected president of the Birmingham Organists’ Association in March 1939. Ref – Birmingham Mail 8 March 1939 #LIbraryofBham #BhamOrgan #BOA
A newspaper article. Headline is Organists’ President. Text below outlining the appointment of Christine Smye to the position of president of the Birmingham Organists’ Association. A photograph of a female figure in the bottom right of the page - she has her hair styled in a bob. Below this a caption providing her name.
July 2, 2026 at 9:02 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#BhamWomen Gwynedd M. Lewis applied to be called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn in June 1939. Let’s hope she was successful. Part of our Birmingham Biography Cuttings Collection, Vol. 30 Ref – Birmingham Gazette 16 June 1939 #LIbraryofBham
A newspaper article. Title is Birmingham Woman’s Call To The Bar. Below this is a headshot of a female figure wearing glasses and what appears to be a cloak fastened to a tie she is wearing. Below this - her name. Miss G.M. Lewis. Below this, text outlining her attempt to be called to the Bar.
July 9, 2026 at 8:00 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#BhamWomen Myra and Kate Bunce at the Lord Mayor's fancy dress ball in 1914. Myra, seated - was a landscape painter and designer. Kate is renowned as a painter. They worked together on commissions for local churches. Ref- Martineau Album #BM_AG #LibraryofBham
Photographic portrait of two female figures in fancy dress. The seated figure is dressed in dark heavy laced clothing. She is wearing a bonnet with a veil attached and holding a parasol. She has bunches of flowers at each ear and is wearing spectacles. She is holding a card in her left hand. The standing figure is dressed in light clothing. She is wearing a bonnet and has flowers at her ears. She is also holding a parasol and wearing very heavy lace clothing which covers her footwear.
September 17, 2026 at 8:01 AM