Dr Maureen Wright (Patron)
Dr Maureen Wright is an Associate Lecturer in Modern History at the University of Chichester. Dr Wright’s current research is focused in the area of women’s and gender studies, specialising in the history of women’s emancipation (and men’s response to it) in Britain during the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries.
In 2011, Manchester University Press published Dr. Wright’s book “Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy: the biography of an insurgent woman.”
Susan Munro (founder, chair)
Susan is a retired Civil Servant and since retirement has been a volunteer for Homestart Cheshire East, working with young families. Susan was also a Women’s Officer for Congleton Labour Party for 5 years from 2015 to 2020.
She is an activist for the rights of women and girls locally, nationally and internationally and between 2016 and 2020 ran the local Monthly Gift Scheme which provides free feminine hygiene products to women in need across the Congleton Constituency.
Peter Munro (treasurer)
Peter’s career was spent in the public service at both local and national levels. As a Business Inspector in the Department of Health for over 20 years he was involved in national inspections and enquiries and contributed to national policy and legislation, particularly children’s safeguarding and management and organisational development.
He was national lead for the top managers programme for Directors of Social Services. He spent 18 months as Assistant Chief Executive in a unitary council driving through a programme of management development and training across the authority. He is a fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.
Since retirement he has been trustee of several voluntary organisations including Crossroads Wirral (Vice Chair) and HomeStart East Cheshire (Chair). He is an ardent supporter of the rights of women and is determined to see Elizabeth regain her rightful place at the head of those first-wave feminists who made such a difference for those who followed.
Kay Wesley
Kay is a Congleton Town Councillor – the first Women’s Equality Party Councillor in the UK. Kay is a trustee of Congleton Museum, chairs the Community & Environment Committee at the Council, sits on the Congleton Partnership and is a member of Congleton Green and the Pride Steering Group.
Kay runs an international digital business based in Congleton, Kanga Health Ltd. Kay has lived in Congleton for 35 years and has 4 sons and a daughter.
Heather Watson
Heather has lived in Congleton for 35 years since marrying a born and bred Congletonian. She retired from work in 2019 after 20 years at Airbags International Ltd. When she is not delving into the history and heritage of Congleton she does Arabic dancing with friends and they perform as Zahara fi Sahara.
She is also a volunteer for the Cinnamon Trust, a charity that assists the elderly and terminally ill with their pets.
Heather became interested in Elizabeth’s story in 2011 after hearing Maureen Wright give a talk at Congleton Museum to launch her book “Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy and the Victorian Feminist Movement”.