Girlguiding Advocate Hannah B has written about Ida Copeland as part of our blog series on ‘The Women MPs Who Changed Politics – Lessons From History’
A historic female MP who means a lot to me is Ida Copeland. She was not only a politician, but also a passionate advocate for social and welfare causes. She dedicated her life to creating change, not only in her community but also far beyond. Her story is one of resilience and courage, being unafraid to stand up for what she believed in, and helping the lives of women and young people.
In 1931, Ida Copeland decided to stand against Oswald Mosley in the general election. Mosely was a prominent and controversial figure, known for extremist views and authoritarian beliefs. In contrast, Ida believed in inclusion, social responsibility and community support. Thanks to her position in the community, she was elected as the 25th woman ever elected to the House of Commons. Her victory, with a majority of 6,654 votes, was not only a personal triumph, but also a symbolic one. Her views of progress and unity were more important than Mosely’s divisive ideology. In a time where women in politics faced immense challenges and prejudices, she rose to the occasion. I can’t imagine it was easy.
Though only in Parliament for 4 years, her work extended beyond this. Some of her most influential work was her role in the Girlguiding movement. She worked closely with Lady Baden-Powell, helping to fund and campaign for Girlguiding, a movement that gave girls the same opportunities the Scouts had. She helped create new opportunities for girls and young women, leaving a legacy that is felt across the world today. She helped it grow into the global movement it now is, advocating for female empowerment, and creating a sisterhood of girls and young women across the globe.
She also went on to donate land to the Scouting movement, ensuring it would be enjoyed for generations to come. She also gifted Trelissick Gardens to the National Trust, preserving the space for many more to enjoy; the thousands of visitors each year are thanks to her.
Growing up, I always admired Ida’s commitment to standing up for what she believed in, despite the challenges thrown at her. As a woman in a male-dominated political world, she faced immense challenges, and yet she continued to do what mattered to her. She showed me, from a young age, that women can be leaders, can be changemakers, and can speak out. She showed me that girls can do anything.
Ida’s story is powerful, and for me, it is also personal. As her great-great granddaughter, I am honoured to continue on the path that she and so many remarkable women before me helped to carve. She played a huge role in Girlguiding, an organisation I have grown to love, and this fills me with pride. Her work to help girls and young women continues today, with the fight for progress and equal opportunities for girls still ongoing. I can only hope that she would be proud of me, and proud of all the powerful women who’ve come after her.
We have now had 693 female MPs, and though there is still a long way to go, it is inspiring to see how far we’ve come. When Ida was elected in 1931, women in politics were rare. We have more women in Parliament than ever before, and yet we are still far from a truly gender equal Parliament. As we celebrate the women who paved the way, we must continue to break down the barriers that remain, and continue to inspire the next generation of girls and young women, just as Ida once inspired me.