Edinburgh University Women's Union

Edinburgh University Women's Union
Successor Edinburgh University Students' Association
Formation October 1905
Type students' union
Location

Edinburgh University Women's Union was a students' union for women at the University of Edinburgh. The union became the Chambers Street Union before accepting the admission of men to membership in 1971 ahead of merging into the new Edinburgh University Students' Association in 1973.[1]

Founding

The original site of the Women's Union can be seen adjacent (right) to Jericho House (centre) at 53 Lothian Street.

Despite there being more than 400 women students at the University in 1905, the Edinburgh University Union continued to only admit men as members. To meet the needs of women students, the Women's Union was established in October 1905 at 53 Lothian Street. The premises contained a reading room, drawing room and dining room. Three years later £2000 was raised through a bazaar to extend the premises. In April 1920 the Union moved to 52 and 53 George Square. The new building had been partly funded by £1000 gifted by The Carnegie Trust and £450 raised through a fete. The premises included reading and dining rooms, lounges, and bedrooms available for brief stays.[1][2]

Chambers Street Union

The union building was demolished in 1964 to make way for the new William Robertson building, leading to the Union moving to 16 Chambers Street.[3][4] At this point the Union changed its name to the Chambers Street Union. The Union voted to admit men as members shortly before Edinburgh University Union voted to admit women in February 1971.[1]

Merger

Following initial opposition, on 1 July 1973 the Students' Representative Council, the Edinburgh University Union and the Chambers Street Union merged to form Edinburgh University Students' Association.[1]

Notable Members

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Catto, Iain, ed. (1989). 'No spirits and precious few women': Edinburgh University Union 1889-1989. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Union.
  2. ↑ Atalanta's Garland: Being the book of the Edinburgh University Women's Union. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. 1926. p. Prefatory Note.
  3. ↑ "Site Record for Edinburgh, 54 George Square University of Edinburgh". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "ite Record for Edinburgh, 16 Chambers Street, University Of Edinburgh, Women's Union 30 Guthrie Street; Edinburgh University; University Of Edinburgh Women's Union". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "Jennie Lee". Spartacus Educational. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
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