Miriam Homersham
1892 – 1936
Founder 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 was a true pioneer and well-respected figure in her profession. She was one of the first qualified female accountants to enter into practice, having previously graduated from Oxford University and worked as a teacher. The Society of Incorporated Accountants and Auditors changed their rules to allow women to join before the 1919 Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act passed, which meant Miriam was free to switch careers and train as an accountant. She became a Fellow of the Society in 1925.

In Miriam’s obituary, after her tragic death aged just forty-four, her friend and fellow WPH auditor Ethel Watts notes the enthusiasm with which she helped other women:

Apart from her own example, Miss Homersham’s help to other women in the profession was endless. She was always ready to advise, to suggest possibilities, and to try to find posts…In other ways, Miss Homersham attempted to improve the conditions of women workers, notably by her work in the formation and administration of social centres such as clubs; and she gave her professional services generously to associations and other bodies working for causes in which she was interested, sometimes for very small fees, but more often working as honorary auditor or accountant.

Her firm, Homersham & Co, were also auditors to the Women’s Freedom League, which broke away from the WSPU in protest at the Pankhurst rule. 

Ethel Watts’ obituary of Miriam Homersham originally appeared in Opportunity, the Organ of the National Association of Women Civil Servants and was reprinted in St Hugh’s College, Oxford’s Chronicle (1936-1937).