Category: History

Etheldred BrowningEtheldred Browning1869 – 1946 Founder of Women’s Pioneer Housing Etheldred was born Edith Anna Browning on 17th September 1869 in Donnybrook, Dublin, the third of four children. She came from an aristocratic Anglo-Irish family included in Burke’s Irish Peerage. Her father Jeffrey Francis Browning (1832-1889) was a lawyer, who served as Solicitor to the Court of the Irish Land Commission.  Her mother, Julia Mary Smart (1841-1925) was born in London, the… Read more

Helen ArchdaleHelen Archdale (nee Russel)1876 – 1949Founder member of Women’s Pioneer HousingHelen Archdale 1928 ©National Portrait Gallery (X43211) Helen Archdale was born into a family of radical, politically active intellectuals. She was the daughter of Alexander Russel, editor of The Scotsman and an active supporter of progressive causes, including women’s rights to education. Her mother,… Read more

Dorothy PeelDorothy Peel OBE1868 – 1934Member of the Committee of Management, 1921 – 1928Dorothy Peel ©Imperial War Museum (WWC D8-5-91)Dorothy was invited to join the Committee of Management at Women’s Pioneer Housing’s second meeting on 30th September 1920. She was an important figure during the financial crisis of 1921,  holding meetings at her own house, and supporting WPH through its dire… Read more

Ray StracheyRay Strachey (nee Costello)1887 – 1940Author, journalist, suffragist and political campaignerRay Strachey at work 1923 ©National Portrait Gallery (AX161150)Ray’s contribution to Women’s Pioneer Housing was relatively short but invaluable. It’s likely that Etheldred knew Ray from The Common Cause, a suffrage newspaper that Ray edited and Etheldred had written for. Ray first appears in WPH’s records… Read more

Miriam HomershamMiriam Homersham1892 – 1936Founder Member, Accountant and Auditor Miriam was one of Women’s Pioneer Housing’s founding members and she began keeping the books from the first meeting. In 1921 she was officially named Honorary Accountant, with a salary of £20 per annum. Miriam was also the company’s auditor from 1923 to 1931.Miriam Homersham’s signature in WPH’s… Read more

Lady Eleanor Georgiana Shelley-RollsLady Eleanor Georgiana Shelley-Rolls1872-1961Motoring pioneer, flying and engineering enthusiast, and president of Women’s Pioneer Housing Lady Shelley-Rolls was a major investor in Women’s Pioneer Housing who first served on the Committee of Management (1923-1930) before becoming President of the organisation in 1931. During her time on the committee she assisted with publicity and helped organise fundraising dinners, a key source of income for Women’s… Read more