A key figure in the Bristol Women’s Liberation Movement, Ellen Malos and her work were recognised by Bristol University in 2006, with the award of an Honorary Doctorate. Then, on 12 June 2007 the Next Link Women’s Safe House was named ‘Ellen Malos House’ to commemorate her contribution to women and to Bristol, particularly in her work aimed at combatting and, ultimately, ending violence against women.
An activist and, later, an academic, Ellen Malos began her work in the Women’s Liberation Movement by supporting vulnerable women. The first Women’s Centre in Bristol opened in the basement of her house in 1973. In both her activist and academic roles, she was involved in advancing gender equality locally, nationally and transnationally. Her archive comprises rare historical material, including documents that have shaped some of the most significant legal and policy transformations within British history relating to gender equality.
The Feminist Archive South embarked on the Ellen Malos’ Archives project to ensure that this rich trove of feminist writing, publishing, memorabilia and herstory would not only be catalogued, maintained and made available for researchers, but that its existence would become and remain known locally, nationally and internationally.
To this end, the Ellen Malos’ Archives project has included events of varying kinds shaped around Ellen Malos’ work and her legacy. Ellen Malos has played, and continues to play, a key role in the preservation, promotion and publicising of the Ellen Malos’ Archive.
Events capping off the work involved in preservation and presentation of the Ellen Malos’ Archive are scheduled for July and September 2013.
On 20 July, an event titled ‘The History of Bristol Women’s Aid’ showcases the work of Bristol Women’s Aid through a discussion led by Ellen Malos, Nicola Harwin and Jackie Barron. This event affirms Ellen Malos’ activist life in its dedication to the ongoing struggle to end violence against women. The discussion draws on material from the Archive, looking at the history and development of Bristol Women’s Aid and its links to the wider national context. Nicola Harwin and Jackie Barron are colleagues who helped develop vital services to protect and support vunerable women in Bristol and the United Kingdom generally.
The discussion is aimed at exploring questions including:
- How and why did the Women’s Liberation Movement come to support women and their children who were experiencing violence within the home, and work at building an autonomous movement against it?
- How has the movement against violence against women and children at home now become supported by local and national governments ?
- How did Bristol Women’s Aid begin and what did it do?
- How did organisations, activism and action in the field and in Women’s Liberation change after the early 1970s?
- Where are we now?
The final event for the Ellen Malos’ Archives project will be held on 24 September 2013, with the generous funding of the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Project archivist Sarah Cuthill will introduce the contents of the Ellen Malos’ Archive, followed by a response from Ellen Malos. The presentation will be followed by a report from Project Coordinator Dr Deborah Withers, who will discuss the outcomes of the workshop series held in honour of Ellen Malos and honouring the Ellen Malos’ Archive.
This concluding event is also the launch the Feminist Archive South’s pamphlet ‘What Can History Do?’ The booklet, comprised of contributions from project volunteers, includes information on how to use archives for researching women’s history.
The Feminist Archive (South) in Bristol, England, houses national and international material relating to the history of feminism, c.1960-2000. The Archive began in 1978 with one woman’s personal collection in an attic. It expanded and outgrew various locations in the region. In 1988, the Archive divided into two, when the South branch moved to premises in Bristol. In January 2008 the Feminist Archive South became part of Special Collections at Bristol University, where it is currently housed.
The events extolling the Ellen Malos’ Archive will be held at MShed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol BS1 4RN and are free. Refreshments will be provided and Intending participants are advised to email fa_south@yahoo.co.uk to secure a place. MShed is a wheelchair accessible venue. Participants with other access requirements are advised to contact the organisers.
Deborah (Debi) Withers (c) July 2013*
Debi Withers is Trustee of the Feminist Archive South and Project Coordinator of the Ellen Malos Archives project.
* This Blog was compiled from material provided by Debi Withers to the Women’s History Network discussion list.
