Labour Women is a study of the first post-suffrage generation of women members in the Labour Party and the Co-operative movement. It looks at three areas where women had an impact on the development of British social democracy between 1918 and 1939: their struggles with the male leadership; their relations with middle class feminists; and their strong showing in community politics and local government. This book combines the political history of the national organizations and events, with a social history of working class families, schools and communities.

Introduction; 1. The doors are open - women's entry into Labour politics; 2. Their devotion was about equal - women and men in interwar working-class politics; 3. But the seats are reserved for men - the gender struggles of the twenties; 4. A sex question or a class question? - Labour women and feminism in the twenties; 5. Helping others - women in local labour politics; 6. Doing our bit to see that the people are not dragged down - class struggle in the thirties; Conclusion.