Here’s to Eliza Brierley, spinster of Oldham, weaver. The first female member of the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society.

March 8, 2024 by David Smith
On International Women’s Day, we are thinking of Eliza Brierley. A woman of great importance …a woman we know little about.
In 1846 she paid her £1 membership and joined the Cooperative movement. She is  acknowledged as the first female member of the Rochdale Pioneers.
Eliza, brought about a true revolution. Women having their own money and a vote in a democratic organisation. The Co-operative movement has been at the forefront of women’s rights since that day.
So here’s to Eliza Brierley, spinster of Oldham, weaver. The first female member of the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society.

About David Smith

Lifelong co-operative & community activist working at all levels of the movement. Ex Government Food Adviser & UK Healthcare Regulator. Founded the first Community Law Centre in Wales; directed the first EC funded Wales Anti-Poverty Programme: pioneering co-operative & place making community initiatives. Robert Owen Memorial Museum Trustee. Director, Sheffield Co-op Development Group. Graduate Ruskin College, UC Cardiff + PGCE, MA Keele; Ex Lecturer Professional Food & Management, Gwent Tertiary College,
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