Emily Frost Phipps

BARRISTER, TEACHER, PRESIDENT OF FEDERATION OF WOMEN TEACHERS

As Head Teacher of Swansea Higher Grade School in the early 1900s, the Devon-born Emily Frost Phipps succeeded in transforming her school into one of the most reputable educational institutions in Wales. A committed suffragist, she also campaigned passionately for equality of opportunity for girls in education, as well as for equal pay within the National Union of Teachers. In 1918, she stood as an Independent candidate in the first general election in which women could stand. She was also a lifelong supporter of the National Union of Women Teachers, and became the first editor of their journal, Woman Teacher, from 1919 to 1930. Ever alive to new ideas, she retrained as a barrister in her 60s.