Women holding sign reading "The Future is Female". Photo: Musicians' Union
This family-friendly event will celebrate the successful 10-week strike of 1910 when Mary Macarthur (founder of the National Federation of Women Workers) led a collective campaign to ensure a minimum wage for makers of smaller chains – mostly women working from home.
The Women Chainmakers’ Festival recognises the efforts of trade unionist and women’s rights campaigner, Mary Macarthur, and women across the county, who successfully campaigned to abolish exploitative wages within their industry by staging a ten-week strike in 1910.
There will be market stalls, debates, street theatre, live music and speeches from influential figures.
An MU stall will be located in the Mary Macarthur Gardens throughout the day and Regional Officer Ben Benson will be available to talk to musicians about the many benefits of MU membership.
Any members wishing to steward or help on the stall on the day can contact the midlands office 0121 236 4028 or email ben.benson@themu.org