Pam's Fotothing

A statue to Mary MacArthur; in 1910 she led 800 women chainmakers in a strike for better wages and working conditions. The women worked in appalling conditions for long hours, often with their children alongside them - no such thing as daynurseries or childminders then. The outcome was that the women won their case, and achieved a pay rise, and a minimum wage was introduced for the first time ever. They still earned less than men, still had to work the long hours, but it was progress.

All this happened in Cradley Heath in the industrial Black Country of England; this statue was created to honour the memory of Mary MacArthur and was unveiled recently on the very spot where she made a rousing speech 112 years ago.

The monument was created by local sculptor Luke Perry. NB, the woman is carrying her baby in one arm and her hammer in her other hand.