Josephine Baker (feminist)

JOSEPHINE BAKER

1/ Introduction

Josephine Butler was born on the 13th of April 1828 in Millfield, Northumberland. She was a 19th century British social reformer and feminist and she played a major role in improving conditions for women in education and public health.

She campaigned for women's suffrage, the right of women to better education, the end of coverture in British law, the abolition of child prostitution, and the end to human trafficking of young women and children into European prostitution.

Josephine Butler died on the 30th of December 1906, at home, in Northumberland, and she was buried in the nearby village of Kirknewton.

2/ Early life (1828 - 1864)

Josephine Grey was the fourth daughter and seventh child of Hannah and John Grey, a strong advocate of social reform and a campaigner against the slave trade. His cousin was Earl Grey (Lord Grey), British Prime Minister between 1830 and 1834.

John treated his children equally at home, and he educated them in politics and social issues. His political work and ideology had a strong influence on his daughter, as did the religious teaching she received from her mother; the family background and the circles in which she moved, formed a strong social conscience and a committed religious faith.

3/ The start of reform work

When the Butlers moved to Liverpool, when George was appointed headmaster of Liverpool College, Josephine would visit a workhouse at Brownlow Hill, where those unable to support themselves were offered accommodation and employment, an institution that could hold 5,000 individuals. Josephine would sit with the women in the cellars, many of whom were prisoners, and discusses the Bible or prayed with them.

4/ Attempts to repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts

In 1869, Butler began her campaign against the Contagious Diseases Acts. These had been introduced in the 1860s in an attempt to reduce venereal disease in the armed forces. Police were permitted to arrest women living in seaports and military towns who they believed were prostitutes and force them to be examined for venereal disease.

After hesitating for months, afraid of that the ‘indelicacy’ of the subject may have serious consequences for their social standing, and may even threaten George’s role as headmaster, Josephine became leader of the Ladies National Association for the Repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts in 1870.

She toured the country making speeches condemning the acts. Many people were shocked that a woman would speak in public about sexual matters. But in 1883 the acts were suspended and repealed three years later.

5/ Child Prostitution

In 1885, Josephine became involved in W.T. Stead's campaign against child prostitution in London, conducted through his newspaper, the Pall Mall Gazette. Her contribution was to persuade Rebecca Jarrett, a reformed prostitute, to obtain a child for “sale” to

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