Selina Cooper

Selina Cooper was a suffragette and a pioneer of women’s rights in Pendle in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She began her working life in 1876 at the age of 12 in the local textile mills of Barnoldswick, where she was employed as a ‘creeler’ whose responsibility it was to ensure that there was a constant supply of fresh bobbins.

Selina noticed that women were unfiarly treated in the workplace and became an active member of the union, which was run by men, but had mainly women as members. She began to educate women, and she read medical books so that she could advise her fellow workers who were unable to afford a visit to the doctor.

In 1901 Selina was the first woman to represent the Independent Labour Party. She developed a national reputation for her passionate speeches promoting women’s rights and in 1910 she was chosen to be one of four women to present the case for women’s suffrage to Herbert Asquith, the then Prime Minister.

During the First World War Selina developed Nelson’s first ever Maternity Centre. She was later elected to the town council and went on to become a local magistrate. In the 1930’s Selina Cooper played a proud and prominent role in the campaign against facism.
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