Kilbarchan group had an exceptionally busy time and took good advantage of Glasgow’s Open Door Days. A small group of us visited the modest but interesting ‘Strike’ Exhibition about the history of Bryant & May’s match making factory in Glasgow. This was situated within the refurbished and historic Maryhill Burgh Hall. Bryant & May were very forward thinking and provided very good working conditions for those employed there. We read many testaments from former workers. There were many colourful glass windows on display saved from the original hall which were a contrast to the very modern new building.
There was also a visit to see the ‘Women in Law’ Exhibition which took place within the The Royal Faculty of Procurators of Glasgow – another beautiful building in Glasgow. Again not a large exhibition but fascinating with timelines charting women’s milestones in the legal profession over the past 100 years, photos and historical records combined with art and craft works to document and celebrate the history of women in law. There was something for all ages. It acknowledged the gaps in that recorded history and explored the challenges women in law face today – problems around career progression, representation in certain parts of the legal profession and the continuing marginalisation of women of colour. We learnt about a quiet girl from Pollokshields, Madge Easton Anderson, a University of Glasgow graduate who became the first woman to qualify as a lawyer in the UK in 1920, and also read about the aspirations of women in the Scottish legal profession a century on!
