The Mary Quaile Club have announced the publication of the first biography of Mary Quaile, written by Bernadette Hyland and Michael Herbert.
This book tells the story of Manchester Irishwoman and trade unionist Mary Quaile. (1886-1958) whose life mirrors the history of women’s struggles in the trade union and labour movement in the twentieth century.
Born in Dublin, Mary came to Manchester in 1889 with her parents. From selling newspapers on the streets of Manchester, aged 11, she went on to become a leading figure in the trade union movement for forty years as an organiser for women workers in the Manchester and Salford Women’s Trades Council, the Dockers Union, the Transport and General Workers Union, Manchester Trades Council and the Trades Union Congress.
In 1925 she led a delegation of sister trade unionists on a four month delegation to the Soviet Union representing the British trade union movement.
Between 1924 and 1926 she was on the General Council of the Trades Union Congress.
This biography includes Mary’s own words about her life and newly discovered photographs which show her prominence within the British trade union movement. Her life was dedicated to improving the lives of some of the poorest women and girls. She committed herself to collective action in her trade union and with other women in the belief that this would lead to a better life for all.
Bernadette Hyland grew up in east Manchester, her parents were from Mayo and Roscommon. She was active in the trade union movement and Irish in Britain Representation Group which she chaired in the 1980s. Her published work includes Northern Resisters: Conversations with Radical Women and “All Help Possible Will be Given”: The Complete Minutes of the Manchester and Salford Women’s Trade Union Council.
The biography costs £9.99 and is available from Lulu.com
