Born in 1873, Margaret Bondfield grew up in a working-class family as one of eleven children. At 14, she began work as a shop assistant, where poor pay, long hours, and restrictive living conditions inspired her to join the National Amalgamated Union of Shop Assistants. Rising through the ranks, she became a union official and later its assistant secretary, serving for ten years.

Writing under the pseudonym “Grace Dare,” Bondfield highlighted the harsh realities faced by shopworkers. She also helped establish the National Federation of Women Workers and served as chief women’s officer for the National Union of General and Municipal Workers.

A dedicated Labour activist, Bondfield co-founded the Women’s Labour League and joined the Independent Labour Party. In 1918, she became the first woman elected to the Trade Union Congress executive and later chaired it in 1923, marking a significant milestone in British trade union history.

Image Credit: National Archives, Margaret Bondfield and Labour Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald. Catalogue reference: PRO 30/69/1668.