91Èȱ¬

The famous Lyons Cafe waitresses are nicknamed "nippies" after 1200 of them serve at a Freemasons' banquet.

The Women's League of Health and Beauty is founded by Mary Bagot Stack (1883-1934).

On 5 May Amy JohnsonÌý (1903-1941) takes off on her solo flight from England to Australia, the first by a woman.

The modern dance pioneer Marie Rambert (1888-1982) sets up her Ballet Club.

TheÌýbirth control pioneer, Helena Wright (1887-1982) is one of the founders of the National Birth Control Council, later the Family Planning Association (FPA).

The theatre manager Lilian BaylisÌý (1874-1937) re-opens Sadler's Wells Theatre as a place to showcase new ballet and opera. As part of this,ÌýNinette de ValoisÌý (1898-2001), founds the Vic-Wells Ballet.

On 20 May Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to fly the Atlantic Ocean solo in a 15 hour flight.

Lilian Wyles is appointed the first woman Chief Inspector in the police force. She joined London'sÌýMetropolitan policeÌýin 1919 and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in 1922.

In line with the teaching profession and the civil service, the 91Èȱ¬ introduces a marriage bar, and no longer employs married women, except under exceptional circumstances.

Sheila Borrett becomes the first woman radio announcer.

Billie Holiday (1915-1959) makes her first recording with Benny Goodman.

Barbara HepworthÌý (1903-1975) sculpts 'Mother and Child'.

The British Federation of Business and Professional Women is founded with Lady AstorÌý as its first president.

Dame Lilian Barker (1874-1955) is appointed Assistant Commissioner of Prisons with responsibility for all female inmates.

Elizabeth Cowell becomes the first woman television announcer.Ìý

The artist, Dame Laura Knight (1877-1970) becomes a full member of the Royal Academy of Arts. But she has to wait until 1967 for an invitation to the annual dinner, the first time lady members were admitted.

The geographer, Phyllis Pearsall (1906-1996) publishes her A-Z of London.

The acclaimed French singer, Edith Piaf (1915-1963), makes her first recording.

The first Tampax tampons go on sale, invented by Doctor Earle Haas in 1929.

ÌýThe Matrimonial Causes Act extends the grounds on which divorce could be granted to include wilful desertion, cruelty, incurable insanity and habitual drunkenness.

The Married Women's Association is set up by Edith Summerskill (1901-1980) to promote equality in marriage.

The Women's Voluntary Service for Civil Defence (later the Women's Royal Voluntary Service) is set up by Lady Stella ReadingÌý (1894-1971).

The Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women's army, is formed.

The art collector, Peggy Guggenheim (1898 - 1980) opens her Guggenheim-Jeune gallery in London to exhibit avant-garde art.

opened 100 years after the Victorian heroine saved the lives of 9 shipwrecked passengers and crew in aÌýcourageous lifeboat rescue

Dorothy Garrod (1892 - 1968) is appointed the first female professor at Oxbridge when she takes over the Chair of Archaeology at Cambridge.

The outbreak of theÌýSecond World WarÌý has a huge effect on women's lives.Ìý

The Women's Land Army is re-launched under the leadership of Lady Gertrude Denman.