Records of the Women's Employment Publishing Company

The archive consists of a file containing reports (1932-1939), accounts (1937, 1939, 1946), agendas (1938), a copy of the Companies Act 1948 (1948), blank stationary and order forms.

The Women's Employment Publishing Company Ltd (1913-1974) was established by the Central Employment Bureau for Women around 1913-1914 in order to deal with its publications. The Central Bureau had been issuing the twice-monthly journal 'Women's Employment' since 1899 and other occasional publications in connection with their work and the Women's Employment Publishing Company continued this work from the head office in Russell Square. In addition to the main periodical, the press was also responsible for the publication of numerous editions of 'Careers (later, and 'Vocational Training'): 'A Guide to the Professions and Occupations of Educated Women and Girls', 'The Finger Post', 'Hints on how to find work' and 'Open Doors for Women Workers'. The directors just before the outbreak of the Second World War were H John Faulk (Chair), Miss ER Unmack (Managing Director) and Miss AE Hignell (secretary). Despite problems caused by this disruption and a decline in the number of readers in this period, the company survived and continued publishing 'Women's Employment' until 1974. The Bureau seems to have ceased functioning at around the same date.

This collection is available for research. Readers are advised to contact The Women's Library in advance of their first visit.

Fawcett Library Catalogue

The only surviving records of the Women's Employment Publishing Company appear to be this folder, retained by an individual officer, possibly Miss AE Hignell, Secretary. It is not known what happened to the organisation's records. Please note there is a significant gap form 1913-1932 where there are no records relating to the organisation.

The Women's Library also four scrapbooks relating to the work of the Women's Employment Publishing Company (10/39; 10/41; 10/42; 10/43).