Barbara Smoker

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Barbara Smoker (born 1923) is a British Humanist activist and freethought advocate. She is also former President of the National Secular Society (1971-1996), former Chair of the British Voluntary Euthanasia Society (now known as Dignity in Dying) (1981-1985) and current Honorary Vice President of the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association in the United Kingdom.

Contents 1 Biography 2 Publications 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Biography

Barbara Smoker was born in London in 1923 into a Roman Catholic family. She served in the Women's Royal Navy from 1939-1945 on the Pacific front. It was during her time in the service that she became an atheist.

In 1949 Smoker joined the secular humanist movement, and eventually became President of the National Secular Society for the period (1971-1996). In that capacity, she represented the atheist viewpoint in print, on lecture platforms, speaking tours, on radio and television. She officiated at non-religious funerals, wedding ceremonies, gay and lesbian commitments and baby namings. She became active in various social campaigns, such as the abolition of the death penalty, nuclear disarmament, legalization of abortion and voluntary euthanasia.

In 2005 Smoker received the Distinguished Humanist Service Award from the International Humanist and Ethical Union.

[edit] Publications

• Humanism (2005, 4th edition), Barbara Smoker. South Place Ethical Society. ISBN 0-902368-23-0 (an introduction to Humanism for secondary education)
• Blackham's Best (2003, 2nd edition), edited by Barbara Smoker. Published by Barbara Smoker. ISBN 0-9512635-1-X (Excerpts from the work of Harold John Blackham).
• Freethoughts (2002), Barbara Smoker. G.W. Foote & Co. ISBN 0-9508243-5-6. (Selections of contributions to The Freethinker).

[edit] See also

• British Humanist Association

[edit] References

• Biography based on an entry in Rationalist International

[edit] External links

• Barbara Smoker
• National Secular Society
• Dignity in Dying (formerly the Voluntary Euthanasia Society)
• Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (UK)
• The Royal Navy