Mexborough and Swinton Times December 9, 1927

Mrs. Singleton.

Mrs. Marie Singleton, of Mexborough, is somewhat of a pioneer for the cause of women’s rights in this district. She is the first woman to sit on the Mexborough Urban District Council, and takes an active part in local politics and women’s and child welfare schemes. She in a very staunch advocate for her sex, not only in her preaching but in the way which she practises her beliefs; for there is no doubt that—political opinions apart—local and national government does benefit very greatly from the presence of such women as Mrs. Singleton, who are able to bring to their work a clearly reasoned and constructive policy, and strive for the fulfilment of their ideals without bickering or bigotry.

“I think that so far women have not had a fair chance,” said Mrs. Singleton. ” There has always been a tendency to regard them a sort of inferior being, half angel and half toy; and now men are beginning to realise that women are reasoning, thinking human beings. I think that, on the whole, -women have made goal use of tile vote. I personally, rather object to the term ” Flappers’ ” vote; but I do think that with the extension of the franchise to women of a younger age, there is a need for far for greater education in the principles of government. I should like to see all young people given a thorough understanding of what government and local government stands for, and of the importance of the help which they are able to give by means of the vote.

I should, too, like to see a greater degree of independence for married women, both financially and so far as time is concerned. In colliery districts, for example, the shift system entails so much work that it makes the miners wife little better than a slave to her house, and gives her no chance to take an intelligent interest in outside affairs. I should this to see women attaining a greater measure of eccuomic freedom, which can only come through better wages being given to the men. I wish that more women would take an active part in local government. They ought to have a voice in matters which concern the hall live so nearly as housing, sanitation, education and so on.

“Personally,” added Mrs Singleton, “could have had greater consideration and courtesy shown to them than I have had from the members of the Mexborough Council. After all, the house is a woman’s workshop where she spends the greater part of her life and where her work is done, and it is only right that. she should have a say In the Planning of it.”

Mrs. Singleton has also done a great deal for maternity and child welfare schemes in the district, and expressed the wish that the value of these schemes might be recognised more fully than it is. ‘ We are in this district very well served in that respect,” she said, ” but I should still like to see a more extensive policy carried out.” With regard to education, Mrs. Singleton is in favour of children remaining at school until a later age, and believes that this would do much to solve the unemployment problem. ” The present system of letting old men and children work, while men in the prime of life are without employment,” she said, ” is a crime against society. I think children should be allowed to stay at school for two or three years longer, for it is only when they are in their teens that they really begin to realise the value of work for its own sake; and I should like to see a special grant made to enable poor children who would be likely to benefit by the opportunity, to keep on at school, with clothing, books and necessities provided free, and also, if necessary, a grant made to the child’s family to help them to carry on without the help of the child’s wages. I should like, too, to see the system of pensions for older men extended.”

In conclusion Mrs. Singleton declared very emphatically ” I admire the girl of today, and have every confidence in her. She is more outspoken than the girls of the past generations. she is franker and perhaps less respectful, but she is more `pally.’ She has found her footing among men, and her short skirts simply prove that she is paying more attention to ‘hygiene. Of course, she is fond of amusement—we all are—and we must remember that there are far more facilities for amusement now than there were in the last century. I think that the girl of to-day is using her brains, developing her body and developing a sense of comradeship; she has a much saner outlook than the girl of twenty or 30 years ago, and I think she will make a splendid woman.”