Mary macarthur biography

British labour organizer, editor (1880–1921)

For the Canadian scientist, see Mary MacArthur.

For the American actress, see Mary MacArthur (actress).

Mary Reid Anderson (née Macarthur; 13 August 1880 – 1 January 1921) was a Scottish suffragist (although at odds with the national groups who were willing to let a minority of women gain the franchise)^[1][2] and was a leading trades unionist.

She was the general secretary of the Women's Trade Union League and was involved in the formation of the National Federation of Women Workers and National Anti-Sweating League.^[3]

In 1910, Macarthur led the women chain makers of Cradley Heath to victory in their fight for a minimum wage and led a strike to force employers to implement the rise.^[4]

Around 1901, Macarthur became a trade unionist after hearing a speech made by John Turner about how badly some workers were being treated by their employers.

She became secretary of the Ayr