1940 |
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| ÌýÌý |
1940 |
In the USAÌýnylon stockings go on sale for the first time. They don't arrive in the UK until 1946. |
| ÌýÌý |
1941 |
The National Service Act is passed introducing conscription for women.Ìý All unmarried women aged between the ages of 20 and 30 were called up for war work.ÌýThis was later extended to include women aged up to 43 and to married women, though pregnant women and those with young children could be exempt. |
| ÌýÌý |
1941 |
The Trades Union Congress pledges itself to the principle of equal pay. |
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1941 |
is given equal military status with men. |
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1942 |
The Church of England relaxes its rule which insists that women wear hats to church. |
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1942 |
The Post Office takes on 5,000 women engineers. |
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1943 |
The bandleader Ivy BensonÌý (1913-1993) and her 'girls' make their first appearance as the 91Èȱ¬'s resident dance band. |
| ÌýÌý |
1943 |
Dame Anne Loughlin (1894-1979) becomes the first woman president of the TUC. She had been an organiser for the Tailors and Garment Workers Union since 1915. |
| ÌýÌý |
1943 |
Phyllis Deakin, a journalist with The Times, holds the first meeting of the Woman's Press Club in a pub in Fleet Street. |
| ÌýÌý |
1944 |
Verena Holmes is first woman member of Institution of Mechanical Engineers. |
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1944 |
The Butler Education Act raises the school leaving age to 15 and lifts the ban on women teachers marrying. |
| ÌýÌý |
1944 |
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| ÌýÌý |
1945 |
'Red' Ellen Wilkinson (1891-1947) becomes the first woman Minister of Education. |
| ÌýÌý |
1945 |
The Royal Society elects its first women fellows. They were the crystallographer, Dame Kathleen LonsdaleÌý (1903-1971) and the bacteriologist, Marjory Stephenson (1885-1948). |
| ÌýÌý |
1945 |
Family Allowance is introduced after a prolonged campaign led by Eleanor RathboneÌý (1872-1946).Ìý |
| ÌýÌý |
1945 |
Theatre director, Joan LittlewoodÌý (1914-2002), sets up her Theatre Workshop. |
| ÌýÌý |
1946 |
The Royal Commission on Equal Pay recommends teachers, local government officers and civil servants should all receive equal pay. |
| ÌýÌý |
1946 |
The marriage bar is abolished in the Post Office andÌýthe Civil Service. |
| ÌýÌý |
1946 |
The first broadcast of Woman's HourÌýisÌýpresented by Alan Ivieson. |
| ÌýÌý |
1946 |
The School Milk Act provides a free third of a pint of milk to all schoolchildren. |
| ÌýÌý |
1946 |
Film director, Muriel BoxÌý (1905-1991), wins a best screenplay Oscar for her film The Seventh Veil. |
| ÌýÌý |
1946 |
Dame Alix Kilroy becomes the most senior woman civil servant when she is appointed under-secretary to the Board of Trade. |
| ÌýÌý |
1946 |
The organic farming pioneer, Lady Eve BalfourÌý (1898-1990) founds the Soil Association. |
| ÌýÌý |
1946 |
Dr Benjamin Spock publishes Baby and Child CareÌý sparking a child-rearing revolution. |
| ÌýÌý |
1947 |
|
| ÌýÌý |
1947 |
On 12 February Christian Dior launches his 'New Look' for women.Ìý |
| ÌýÌý |
1947 |
Cicely Ludlam becomes the first official British woman diplomat with her posting to Belgrade as Third Secretary (Commercial).Ìý |
| ÌýÌý |
1947 |
Maria Callas (1923-1977)Ìýmakes her first appearance in a performance of La Giocanda by Ponchielli. |
| ÌýÌý |
1947 |
The Diary of Anne Frank is first published in the Netherlands. |
| ÌýÌý |
1948 |
The introduction of the National Health Service gives everyone free access to health care. Previously it was only the insured, usually men, who had benefited from this. |
| ÌýÌý |
1948 |
Dame Lilian Penson (1896-1963) becomes the first woman vice-chancellor of a university, the University of London. |
| ÌýÌý |
1948 |
Eleanor RooseveltÌý (1884-1962) plays a key role in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. |
| ÌýÌý |
1948 |
Art director Carmen Dillon (1908-2000) wins an Oscar for her set designs for Laurence Olivier's film, Hamlet. |
| ÌýÌý |
1948 |
|
| ÌýÌý |
1948 |
|
| ÌýÌý |
1948 |
Cambridge University finally opens its full degrees to women. |
| ÌýÌý |
1949 |
Rose Heilbron becomes the first woman King's Counsel. |
| ÌýÌý |
1949 |
|
| ÌýÌý |
1949 |
The ATS (the Auxiliary Territorial Service) was transformed into a permanent force, the Women's Royal Army Corps, (WRAC). |
| ÌýÌý |
