Author Archives: lipstick socialist

About lipstick socialist

I am an activist and writer. My interests include women, class, culture and history. From an Irish in Britain background I am a republican and socialist. All my life I have been involved in community and trade union politics and I believe it is only through grass roots politics that we will get a better society. This is reflected in my writing, in my book Northern ReSisters Conversations with Radical Women and my involvement in the Mary Quaile Club. .If you want to contact me please use my gmail which is lipsticksocialist636

Following in My Mother’s Footsteps; the lives of Lily Wild and Hilary Jones.

Posted on February 6, 2023 by lipstick socialist

    In these two articles I want to highlight the lives of Lily Wild and Hilary Jones: a mother and daughter. How did they cope with being  mothers, wives and being politically active in political parties, their trade union, … Continue reading →

Posted in anti-cuts, book review, Communism, education, feminism, human rights, interesting blog, Ireland, Irish second generation, labour history, Socialism, Socialist Feminism, trade unions, Uncategorized, women, working class history, young people | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

My review of “A Very British Conspiracy The Shrewsbury 24 and the Campaign for Justice” by Eileen Turnbull

Posted on January 3, 2023 by lipstick socialist

In 2023 many trade unions are taking strike action due to a cost-of-living crisis amongst working people, while  the  Tory government’s response  is to  threaten  further  anti-strike  legislation. A Very British Conspiracy is a reminder of the lengths a Tory … Continue reading →

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Patti Mayor: Preston artist and suffragette

Posted on December 15, 2022 by lipstick socialist

In the little gem of an art gallery in Oldham I came across the work of artist and activist Patti Mayor. Born in Preston on 1 May 1872 as Martha Ann Mayor, she was known as Patti, one of five … Continue reading →

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Manchester Irish in Britain Representation Group and Grass Roots Books Radical Bookshop (and later Frontline Books)

Posted on November 20, 2022 by lipstick socialist

In 1981 a new wave of Irish activists became involved in not just the campaign for a united Ireland but also in campaigning for the  civil rights and equality for the Irish in Britain: the Irish in Britain Representation Group … Continue reading →

Posted in book review, Communism, human rights, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

My review of “Ireland’s Hidden Diaspora: the “abortion trail” and the making of a London-Irish underground,1980-2000 by Ann Rossiter

Posted on November 9, 2022 by lipstick socialist

Growing up in Manchester in the 1970s I had been subject to my Catholic (largely Irish) secondary school promoting an anti-abortion agenda and encouraging students to get on buses to attend Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child demos. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Finding Miss Nellie Kay…

Posted on November 2, 2022 by lipstick socialist

Sheila Rowbotham coined the phrase about women’s absence from mainstream history books as “hidden from history”. The Mary Quaile Club was set up in 2014 in order to put Mary Quaile and other working class women back into the history … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

My review of Liverpool Dockers A History of Rebellion and Betrayal by Mike Carden

Posted on August 15, 2022 by lipstick socialist

    This book  is about Liverpool, about dockers, about their families and communities. It is also about democracy, trade unions and the Labour Party. It is about the past and  the present. Mike Carden was one of the key … Continue reading →

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My review of CAUSES IN COMMON Welsh Women and the Struggle for Social Democracy By Daryl Leeworthy

Posted on August 2, 2022 by lipstick socialist

In this new history book about the role of Welsh working class women Daryl says his aim is to highlight women who “were active in the trade unions and their adjunct organisations; who were involved in the cooperative movement or … Continue reading →

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My review of “The House that Jill Built” by Ethel Carnie Holdsworth

Posted on July 23, 2022 by lipstick socialist

      As a socialist feminist I am always looking around for books and authors to inspire me. I was introduced to Ethel Carnie  by  Ruth and Eddie Frow of the Working Class Movement Library. She was a northern … Continue reading →

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The Manchester and Salford Women’s TUC and the Manchester Sweated Industries Exhibition

Posted on June 20, 2022 by lipstick socialist

    By 1906 the Manchester and Salford Women’s Trade Union Council  was  a well established trade union body   known for its organising  work,  both locally and across the country. They were kept busy supporting working class women to set … Continue reading →

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