Edith H. Howse (19 December 1883 – 1955) was a British trade unionist and politician. Born in Chorlton-upon-Medlock, near Manchester, Howse began working for the

General Post Office The General Post Office (GPO) was the state postal system and telecommunications carrier of the United Kingdom until 1969. Before the Acts of Union 1707, it was the postal system of the Kingdom of England, established by Charles II in 1660. ...

in 1900 as a "telephone learner". She joined the

Postal Telegraph Clerks' Association The Postal and Telegraph Clerks' Association (PTCA) was a trade union in the United Kingdom for workers in the post office and telecommunications industries. History The union was founded in 1881 as the Postal Telegraph Clerks' Association, am ...

, and in 1909 became a part-time union official. In 1916, she became the first full-time women's organiser of the union. In 1920, the union became part of the new Union of Post Office Workers, with Howse continuing as women's organiser, and also becoming an assistant secretary of the union, with responsibility for the telephones and telecommunications section. In this role, she attended numerous national and international conferences, often speaking on women's trade unionism. Howse retired in 1937, but remained active, becoming a Labour Party member of Wembley council, and serving a term as Mayor of Wembley.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Howse, Edith 1883 births 1955 deaths English trade unionists Labour Party (UK) councillors Mayors of places in Greater London People from Chorlton-on-Medlock English women trade unionists Women mayors of places in England Women councillors in England