The theme for the project was the Women Chain Makers Strike of 1910, partly because it was an aspect of local history that I had some previous knowledge of but also because it fitted with the ‘Campaign Make An Impact' ideals that pupils should study an aspect of history in which people have campaigned to make a significant change to someone's life. This would then be followed by pupils creating their own campaign on a mater of interest to themselves.

 

 

In the 1910 strike women chain makers from Cradley Heath went on strike to obtain a pay rise with the support of Mary Macarthur the founder of the National Federation Of Women Workers. The women would not have been able to go on strike without assistance because their income was so low to be without work for any period of time would have financially crippled them.

It was Mary Macarthur's determination and the financial assistance of her associates such as the Cadbury family, the Countess of Warwick and Countess Beachamp that enabled the women to stage a successful ten week long strike. By it's end the women had secured themselves a pay rise and brought about the introduction of a minimum wage.