An upcoming Preston Arts Festival event will explore the impact of six women on Preston. 

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Friend of Winckley Square Susan Douglass will deliver her talk – The Lot of a Woman in a Man’s World – using detailed research on the lives of the women who lived or worked in Winckley Square between 1830 and 1968.

Susan will explore how strictly defined roles and responsibilities of women affected their lives, and how they pushed against the boundaries towards participation and empowerment.

The women who feature in the talk are Jane Wilson, Henrietta Miller, Louisa Walsh, Alice Stephenson, Alice Stoneman and Dorothy Heaton.

Jane was a gentleman’s wife living a privileged life among Preston’s elite. She died at the hands of male medical practitioners in a time when men were firmly unreceptive to new ideas or arguments.

Wealthy heiress Henrietta was abused by her young husband over a number of years, but she battled against the social norms of the day to find happiness.

Louisa was the first headmistress of the Preston High School for Girls. She was instrumental in shaping women’s education in Preston, yet suffered a very public humiliation in the process.

Headmistresses Alice and Alice followed in Louisa’s footsteps. Having fought for rights of recognition of their own qualifications, they supported the fight for women’s suffrage and had a lasting influence on Preston women’s education.

Read more: Why it is only right we have an Edith Rigby statue in Preston

Dorothy was Preston’s first woman solicitor and Commandant of the Women’s Auxiliary Police Corps in World War II. A pioneer of women’s legal rights, she was much sought after at a time when divorce rights were still complicated for women.

The Lot of a Woman in a Man’s World is taking place on Monday 7 October at 2.30pm, at St Wilfrid’s Parish Centre in Chapel Street.

Tickets are £4 per person on arrival. You can just turn up but to be assured a place, book your ticket on Eventbrite. 

Proceeds from the talk will be donated to the homeless drop-in at St Wilfrid’s Community Centre.

Read more: See what’s on in Preston

Will you be going to the event? Let us know in the comments below.