Significant Sisters: The Grassroots Of Active Feminism, 1839-1939

by Margaret Forster

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Genres: Nonfiction, History, Feminism, Biography

Paperback

First published February 12, 1985

About the author

Margaret Forster was educated at the Carlisle and County High School for Girls. From here she won an Open Scholarship to Somerville College, Oxford where in 1960 she was awarded an honours degree in History.

From 1963 Margaret Forster worked as a novelist, biographer and freelance literary critic, contributing regularly to book programmes on television, to Radio 4 and various newpapers and magazines.

Forster was married to the writer, journalist and broadcaster Hunter Davies. They lived in London. and in the Lake District. They had three children, Caitlin, Jake and Flora.

Reviews

[Eleanor Cowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1836 Caroline Norton, savagely beaten by her husband, discovered, when she fled, that she must lose her children for, by law, they belonged to him. Despite the amazing fact that Caroline did not believe in "equal rights" for women, she nevertheless changed English law. The unique perspective of eight brilliant biographies, short yet powerful, are still hugely moving and motivating. Glad Canadian writer, Carol Shields, highly recommended this book!
Eleanor Cowan, author of : A History of a Pedophile's Wife: Memoir of a Canadian Teacher and Writer

[Kate Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book detailing the lives of eight women, who you may have heard of briefly, who each individually were catalytic in influencing the lives of women through their own lens of feminism and their beliefs. The chosen women represent eight spheres of women’s lives that each found intolerable in their own lives, through experience or observation. The spheres include: Law, the Professions, Employment, Education, Sexual Morality, Politics, Birth Control and Ideology.

They are not the only forerunners of feminism, they encounter on their paths others who either support or denigrate their interpretation or actions. This is a well researched book that spans time from early 1839-1939.

One of eight I thought I knew well, Florence Nightingale, in actual fact I didn’t fully understand all she had initiated in the realm of nursing and in women’s employment. The other name I was aware of, though it was more of a whisper, Josephine Baker. Reading the account of her battling issues related to Sexual Morality.

Read these women’s stories and in some way give thanks, which sounds a bit po-faced, but you’ll see what I mean.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though it took me an age to read I have enjoyed this, especially the chapters on Josephine Butler and Emma Goldman who I had not encountered before.
The book has manageable chapters with short analysis at the end and decent references to point you in the right direction.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise and compelling companion to feminist philosophy and activism, this is a firm favourite of mine, and I would recommend it to everyone. All of the women's lives are interesting and enlightening .

[Ant Koplowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and very engaging book about women who become early feminists. Not the usual subject matter for Margaret Forster, but she does a great job of drawing us into the lives of these six women and helps us think about their role in challenging the boundaries of class and patriarchy in order for women to obtain some degree of equality.

© Koplowitz 2021

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Significant Sisters: The Grassroots Of Active Feminism, 1839-1939
by Margaret Forster

from the library

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t worry if you don’t like the introduction things improve once you start the biographies. The book was written in the 1980s so the general comments on feminism seem a bit dated.

[Freya Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting collection of biographies of women through history and how they changed history. Quite slow paced but very informative.

[LJ Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Forster's writing style always makes for an enjoyable read. The content is always well researched and I always feel I have learnt something new when I read her books.

[Fidelis Eka Satriastanti · Rating 3 out of 5]

A concise introduction for anyone wanted to learn about active feminism.