Hilda Tweedy
1911 – 2005
Hilda TweedyIrish Housewives’ Association

Born in Clones, Hilda was the first child of Muriel (née Swaine) and Rev. James Ferguson Anderson. Hilda Tweedy was a life-long campaigner for equality, justice and women’s (and human) rights, both in Ireland and internationally. In 1941 Hilda organised the “Housewive’s Petition” in response to the food and fuel shortages during the Emergency. Hilda was a founding member of the Irish Housewives Association (IHA) in 1942; which continued to lobby the Irish government for food rationing and consumer rights. In addition to her political work Hilda taught Mathematics at Alexandra College (1952-1966) In 1973 a group of feminists, chaired by Hilda Tweedy of the IHA, set up the Council for the Status of Women (CSW), with the goal of gaining equality for women. It was an umbrella for women’s groups, run by a voluntary committee, and funded by subscriptions of £5 a year per group. They met in rooms provided by the IHA. The CSW was later renamed the National Women’s Council of Ireland, who are celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year.

Image courtesy Tweedy Family