Joyce Brenda Gould, Baroness Gould of Potternewton (born 29 October 1932) is a British Labour Party politician.

Early life

The daughter of Sydney Manson and his wife Fanny (née Taylor), she was educated at the Roundhay High School for Girls and the Bradford Technical College in pharmacy.

Career

Gould worked as pharmaceutical dispenser from 1952 until 1965, when she was then employed as a clerical worker whilst assisting to organise the Pioneer Women (1965-1966).

Political career

Gould was assistant regional organiser for the Labour Party from 1969 to 1975, assistant the national agent and chief women's officer from 1975 to 1985, and then director of organisation from 1985 to 1993. Gould was a committee member of the Campaign Against Racial Discrimination from 1965 to 1975, and member of the management committee of the Grand Theatre in

Leeds Leeds is a city in West Yorkshire, England. It is the largest settlement in Yorkshire and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds Metropolitan Borough, which is the second most populous district in the United Kingdom. It is built aro ...

from 1968 to 1972. Gould was executive member of the Joint Committee Against Racism in 1970, secretary of the Yorkshire National Council for Civil Liberties between 1970 and 1975, and Secretary of the National Joint Committee of Working Women's Organisations from 1975 to 1985. Between 1970 and 1975, she was executive member of the Women's National Commission and of the Commission on Conduct of Referendums between 1990 and 1994. In 1971, she was a member of the Department of Employment Women's Advisory Committee, and from 1997 to 1998 she was a member of the Independent Commission on Electoral Systems. She held the position as Vice President Socialist International Women (1978–85), and was also a member of the Home Office Committee on Electoral Matters. She is a member of the

Transport and General Workers' Union The Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU or T&G) was one of the largest general union, general trade unions in the United Kingdom and Ireland—where it was known as the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union (ATGWU)—with 900 ...

(TGWU) and General Municipal Boilermakers and Allied Trades Union (GMB).

House of Lords

On 6 October 1993, she was created a

life peer In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the peerage whose titles cannot be inherited, in contrast to hereditary peers. Life peers are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister. With the exception of the D ...

with the title Baroness Gould of Potternewton, of Leeds in the County of

West Yorkshire West Yorkshire is a Metropolitan counties of England, metropolitan and Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It borders North Yorkshire to the north and east, South Yorkshire and De ...

. She was Opposition Whip (1994–97), whilst also holding positions for the Citizen's Charter (1994–96) and Women (1996–97). She has held positions on various House of Lords Select Committees: Finance and Staffing (1994–97); European Union Sub-committee C - Environmental Affairs (1994–97); Constitution (2001–05); Speakership of the House (2003); Refreshment (2005-2008) (2012-); Procedure (2008-2009) (2012-2014); Enquiries (2013-2014); Affordable Childcare (2014-); Standing Orders (Private Bills) Committee (2008-). She was Deputy Chair (2002-2012) and Deputy Speaker (2002-2012). She retired from the

House of Lords The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the lower house, the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster in London, England. One of the oldest ext ...

on 22 July 2019.

Other activities

She has been a member and secretary of several anti-racist, women's and civil liberties bodies since 1965. She is a member of the

Fawcett Society The Fawcett Society is a membership charity in the United Kingdom which campaigns for women's rights. The organisation dates back to 1866, when Millicent Garrett Fawcett dedicated her life to the peaceful campaign for women's suffrage. From 190 ...

, a past council member of the Constitution Unit and vice chair and executive member of the

Hansard Society The Hansard Society was formed in the United Kingdom in 1944 to promote parliamentary democracy. Founded and chaired by Commander Stephen King-Hall, the first subscribers were Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee. The society's co-presidents a ...

. She is president of the Family Planning Association as well as chair of the H Chapman Society. She has been a Patron of Yorkshire MESMAC since 2008 and of: UN Women UK, HIV Sport, the Brighton Women's Centre; Forward (Foundation for Women's Health Research & Development) and Jo's Trust. She has also been the Vice President of Speakability since 2000 and the President of the Brighton and Hove Fabian Society since 2008. Gould is President of the Mary MacArthur Holiday Trust. She also has two Fellowships of the Industry and Parliament Trust. She is past Chair of the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV from 2003 to 2011. In 2007, she was appointed to the Board of the Women's National Commission, shortly after that she was made interim Chair . In March 2008, she was appointed as Permanent Chair. She is a past president of the UK charity Epilepsy Action.

Honours and qualifications

In 1997, she received an Honorary Degree from the

University of Bradford The University of Bradford is a public research university located in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. A plate glass university, it received its royal charter in 1966, making it the 40th university to be created in Britain, but ...

and in 2006, she was made an Honorary Fellow of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare of the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists. In 2007 she was made an Hon. Fellow British Association for Sexual Health and HIV. In 2009 she received an Hon. Doctorate from Birmingham City University and in 2012 she received an Hon. Degree from Greenwich University.

Personal life

In 1952, she married Kevin Gould. They have a daughter.

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Gould, Joyce 1932 births Living people Alumni of the University of Bradford British trade unionists Life peeresses created by Elizabeth II Life peers created by Elizabeth II Gould of Potternewton People educated at Roundhay School Peers retired under the House of Lords Reform Act 2014