Margaret McMillan: Empowering Women Through the Open-Air Nursery

• In Event: Teaching, Learning, Empowering: Profiles of Educators

Abstract

Margaret McMillan was a Christian Socialist, who devoted her life to breaking the cycle of poverty in England. From the early 1900’s, she was devoted to the Suffragette Movement in England, the striking dock workers in Southeast London, and deprived children and families living in Deptford, London, England. Margaret’s Open-Air Nursery provided care and education for disadvantaged children, while simultaneously supporting the mothers in developing career skills that would assist them in gaining higher wages. The student teachers admitted into her programme were interviewed to be sure they shared her ethos for breaking the cycle of poverty through community leadership and role modeling. This paper explores this aspect of Margaret McMillan’s selfless work.

Author

• Betty J. Liebovich, University of London - Goldsmiths