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Surely the best known female archivist is Stella Rimmington - she of MI5. Anyone else read her biography? On 22 October 2010 10:13, Michael Cook <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > A further comment on this question. When I started in archives, the > professional scene was certainly enlivened by a group of notably eccentric > women. My own boss in Devon, Joan Sinar, is a good example (later > Derbyshire). Other names: Madeleine Elsas at Glamorgan, Ida Darlington at > the LCC, Marguerite Gollancz - she illustrates one of the most important > reasons for the number of women at that time - private income and the > willingness to serve for less money. However, it would not be right to say > that the women (however outstanding) actually dominated the profession. In > (I think) 1956 or 1957, Elizabeth Ralph (Bristol) who had served as > Vice-Chair of the SoA, was due to succeed as chair. Some of the leaders, > especially Peter Walne the secretary (a notable conservative, who always > said no to any change as a matter of principle) were going to block it, on > the grounds that it would not be proper for a professional association to be > led by a woman. I am glad to say I was part of a revolt against this idea, > and ER duly succeeded as our first woman chair. These events are well and > readably recorded in Elizabeth Shepherd's recently published history. After > this the women still had a hill to climb, maybe are still climbing it. > Michael Cook, PhD, RMARA > Contact the list owner for assistance at > [log in to unmask] > > For information about joining, leaving and suspending mail (eg during a > holiday) see the list website at > https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=archives-nra > Contact the list owner for assistance at [log in to unmask] For information about joining, leaving and suspending mail (eg during a holiday) see the list website at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=archives-nra