The White Ribbon Association has a long, varied and interesting history. The charity is now known as the Women's Total Abstinence Education Union Ltd. but was originally founded in 1876 as the British Women's Temperance Association, following a public meeting in Newcastle led by 'Mother' Eliza Stewart, a renowned American Temperance crusader of the day.
One of the first Presidents of the Association was Margaret Bright Lucas, a social activist, Temperance campaigner and suffragist. She came from an illustrious politically-active family; her siblings included the suffragist Priscilla Bright and the Liberal radical politicians Jacob Bright and John Bright. She was succeeded in the Presidency by Lady Henry Somerset in 1893.
The organisation split in 1893 over the issue of political activism; some women considered that the B.W.T.A. should work towards women's suffrage and on other political issues, whilst others thought that the best way forward was to concentrate solely on the issue of temperance. Thus, the Women's Total Abstinence Union was formed, an organisation that focused only on issues related to alcohol and abstinence, whilst the B.W.T.A. became the National British Women's Temperance Union, and expanded to campaign on issues such as suffrage, welfare, education and health.
Lady Henry Somerset was succeeded as President by Rosalind, Countess of Carlisle. Since her tenure, whichever building we have occupied for our Headquarters has been named 'Rosalind Carlisle House.' Our current premises in Solihull were opened on 9th September 2006 by Lady Carlisle's Great-Granddaughter, Mrs Joanna Matthews.
Our organisation has been in existence for over 130 years and although it has gone through many guises, is still working strongly today.
Please contact us if you are interested in more information about the history of our organisation.
The White Ribbon Association has a long, varied and interesting history. The charity is now known as the Women's Total Abstinence Education Union Ltd. but was originally founded in 1876 as the British Women's Temperance Association, following a public meeting in Newcastle led by 'Mother' Eliza Stewart, a renowned American Temperance crusader of the day.
One of the first Presidents of the Association was Margaret Bright Lucas, a social activist, Temperance campaigner and suffragist. She came from an illustrious politically-active family; her siblings included the suffragist Priscilla Bright and the Liberal radical politicians Jacob Bright and John Bright. She was succeeded in the Presidency by Lady Henry Somerset in 1893.
The organisation split in 1893 over the issue of political activism; some women considered that the B.W.T.A. should work towards women's suffrage and on other political issues, whilst others thought that the best way forward was to concentrate solely on the issue of temperance. Thus, the Women's Total Abstinence Union was formed, an organisation that focused only on issues related to alcohol and abstinence, whilst the B.W.T.A. became the National British Women's Temperance Union, and expanded to campaign on issues such as suffrage, welfare, education and health.
Lady Henry Somerset was succeeded as President by Rosalind, Countess of Carlisle. Since her tenure, whichever building we have occupied for our Headquarters has been named 'Rosalind Carlisle House.' Our current premises in Solihull were opened on 9th September 2006 by Lady Carlisle's Great-Granddaughter, Mrs Joanna Matthews.
Our organisation has been in existence for over 130 years and although it has gone through many guises, is still working strongly today.
Please contact us if you are interested in more information about the history of our organisation.