The Co-operative Women’s Guild was founded in 1883 to educate women in the principles and practices of Co-operation and to work for the improvement of the status of women. It is an auxiliary of the Co-operative Movement. When the Women’s Guild was founded, working class women had no public voice and were widely exploited at work and in the home.The Guild quickly became one of the first radical feminist groups to identify and challenge sexual prejudice and oppression, and to fight for change.

The early history of the guild is associated with the “Women’s Corner”, a section of the “Co-operative News” specifically devoted to items of interest to the newspaper’s women readers.The “Corner” first appeared in January 1883 and was the direct product of a friendship between Mrs Alice Acland, the “Corner’s” first editor from 1883-86 and Samuel Bamford editor of the “News”. Mrs Acland, with help from others, through the “News” encouraged mothers and single girls to join ‘Women’s League for the spread of Co-operation’ later to be known as the Co-operative Women’s Guild. By June 1884 the League had 6  branches with 195 members but by 1889, when Margaret Llewelyn Davies became General Secretary, the number of branches had increased to 51 with a total membership of 1800 women.

Guilds women were active in the campaign for maternity benefit, and improved infant and child care facilities.They defied convention by demanding easier divorce, and in 1933 bravely supported the Peace movement by initiating the famous White Poppy Campaign. By 1939 the Guild’s 87,000 members belonged to an organisation of national reputation and importance.

After the upheavals of the war guild’s women continued to campaign vigorously for a wide range of radical social policies. The Guild today continues to provide an outlet for the campaigning, creative and caring interests of its members. The Co-operative Women’s Guild continue their work in the 21st century, battling for social justice and are constantly monitoring and lobbying on social policy issues. Members of the Guild organise their own programme of activities:
• Cultural & Social Activities
• International Events
• Full Democratic Rights
• Community Involvement
• Visits and Demonstrations
• Consumer Affairs

Alresford Co-operative Women’s Guild
- Alresford Village Hall
Mrs Martin, 21 Manor House Way, Brightlingsea
Colchester, Essex

Brightlingsea Co-operative Women’s Guild
- Community Centre, Brightlingsea
Mrs Weston, 125 New Street, Brightlingsea,Colchester
Essex CO7 0DJ

Chantry Co-operative Women’s Guild
- St Francis Church Hall, Ipswich
Mrs Jarvis, 21 Winchat Close, Ipswich, Suffolk.
IP2 0RW

Felixstowe and Walton Co-operative Women’s Guild -
Seaton Road Methodist Church
Mrs Arnold, 19 Sunray Avenue, Felixstowe, Suffolk
IP11 7JR

Kesgrave Co-operative Women’s Guild
- Kesgrave Community Centre, Bell Lane
Mrs Trenter, 51 Orchard Grove,Kesgrave, Ipswich,
Suffolk IP5 1EJ

Manningtree Co-operative Women’s Guild
- Methodist Hall, Manningtree
Mrs Rudd, 49 Colchester Road, Lawford,Manningtree,
Essex CO112BJ

Norwich Mile Cross Co-operative Women’s Guild - Methodist Church,Aylsham Road
Mrs Fulcher, 8 Brasier Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR3 2QU

Shrub End Co-operative Women’s Guild
- Walnut Tree House, Shrub End Road
Mrs Potter, 22 Hazell Avenue, Shrub End Estate, Colchester, Essex CO2 9DS

Sudbury Co-operative Women’s Guild
- Sudbury Town Hall, Sudbury
Mrs Lower, 29 York Road, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6NF

Whitehouse Co-operative Women’s Guild
- Waterford Road, Ipswich
Mrs Fulcher, 108A Waterford Road, Ipswich, Suffolk
IP1 5NL

History Group Talks - Free to members
We have selected for this coming series of talks a group of people who will recount their personal experience of life either through history or personal achievements. All talks commence at 2.30pm.

Walks - Free to members
Join fellow Co-operators on various walks within the local countryside. Each one is approxiamately a 5 mile circular walk, all walks commence at 11am.