Conservative Party Archive: Conservative Central Office - Women's Organisation
The collection comprises:
- Papers of the Women's National Advisory Committee (from 1935-1951 Central Women's Advisory Committee; from 1982 Conservative Women's National Committee), 1935-1985;
- Papers of the National Society of Conservative and Unionist Women Organisers, 1934-1964;
- Conservative Women's Conference Handbooks, 1939-1997;
- Papers of the European Union of Women, British Section, 1961-1985;
- Papers and Correspondence of the Deputy Director of Organisation and Chief Women Executive at Conservative Central Office, 1960-1984;
- Papers and Correspondence of the Conservative Party Vice-Chairman for Women, 1960-1984;
- Subject Files of the Conservative Women's Organisation, 1928-1983.
Dates
- Creation: 1928-1997
Extent
10.35 Linear metres (73 boxes)
Language of Materials
- English
Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries, Conservative Party Archive [followed by shelfmark, e.g. CCO 170/1/1/1].
Full range of shelfmarks:
CCO 170/1-3; CCO 170/6-9.
Collection ID (for staff)
CPA CCO 170
Abstract
Papers of the Women's Organisation of the Conservative Party, including records of the Women's National Advisory Committee (later the Conservative Women's National Committee), records of the Women's Organisation at Conservative Central Office, records of the National Society of Conservative and Unionist Women Organisers, and records of the European Union of Women - British Section.
Biographical / Historical
The Women's Organisation of the Conservative Party was established in 1918 as the Women's Unionist Association, following the formal admittance of women into the membership of the party. Reflecting the wider voluntary structure of the Party organisation, the Women's Organisation was organised under the authority of the Central Women's Advisory Committee (later the Women's National Advisory Committee, and the Conservative Women's National Committee). Affiliated to the National Union, the Women's Organisation provided a forum for the representation of women members and activists, as well as a platform for research and policy debates on matters of particular interest to women. The National Advisory Committee was additionally responsible for organising the annual Women's Conference.
The Women's Organisation was supported by a professional wing operating out of Conservative Central Office, and from 1931 onwards a Vice-Chairman of the Party organisation held specific responsibility for the Women's Organisation.
A related body, the National Society of Conservative and Unionist Women Organisers, existed from 1926-1946 to support the work of women organisers.
Custodial History
The archive of the Conservative Party was established as a source for academic study at the Bodleian Library in 1978 by an agreement made between the University of Oxford and the Conservative Party, and brought together surviving historic papers of the Party previously held in various locations including Newcastle University Library and the former Conservative Central Office in Smith Square, London. Since 1996, ownership of the archive has been vested in the Conservative Party Archive Trust. The archive includes records from all three areas of Party organisation: parliamentary, voluntary and professional.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Conservative Party.
Subject
- Conservative Party | Conservative Central Office (Organisation)
- Conservative Party | National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations | Central Women's Advisory Committee (Organisation)
- Conservative Party | National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations | Conservative Women's National Committee (Organisation)
- Conservative Party | National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations | National Advisory Committees (Organisation)
- Conservative Party | National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations | Women's National Advisory Committee (Organisation)
- Conservative Party | professional headquarters (Organisation)
- Conservative Party (Organisation)
- European Union of Women | British Section (Organisation)
- National Society of Conservative and Unionist Women Organisers (Organisation)
- Title
- Conservative Party Archive: Conservative Central Office - Women's Organisation
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Emily Tarrant in 2004. Revised and expanded by Simon Mackley in 2018.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk