| Description | Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury wrote this address for the Annual Conference of the National Union of Women Workers. At the opening of her address Taylor Cadbury refers to the Union's 1905 conference which was held in Birmingham, remarking that much was being 'attempted to relieve suffering' in the city, to 'remove the disabilities of the poor' and to 'establish progressive educational conditions.' She adds, however, that poverty, drunkenness and poor housing still existed in the city, encouraging enthusiasm for continued efforts to reform life in industrial centres like Birmingham.
Taylor Cadbury contradicted the view that the Union's conferences were 'the beginning & end' of their work, emphasising that members of the Union were 'keen & busy workers' and stating that their annual conference was an opportunity to share and develop ideas concerning their public philanthropic endeavours. She comments on the 'excitement & educational stimulus' of the recent General Election remarking that 'the enthusiasm & energy of women were factors in nearly every campaign.'
Taylor Cadbury refers to progress which had been made in international democracy, the Old Age Pension Scheme and women's suffrage since the Union's 1905 conference. She also remarks on the Exhibition of the Sweated Industries which had been held earlier in 1906. The Exhibition had been organised by the newspaper the 'Daily News' which was owned by Taylor Cadbury's husband George Cadbury. Taylor Cadbury comments that the Exhibition had revealed 'the terrible struggle for bare existence' that existed 'in the dark places of our great cities.'
Much of Taylor Cadbury's address reflects on the pioneering role of Quaker women in changing the lives of England's female population. She refers to her position as President of the Union, remarking that she felt her election had been due to some extent to her identity as a Quaker woman. She describes the 'emphasis on the equality of women' within the Religious Society of Friends in terms of 'the right & capacity of women for social work' and 'opportunities for service.' Taylor Cadbury also contrasts women of 'recent times' who were involved in 'most departments of useful work & social reform' with 'the self-centred life' led by the women described in the novels of Jane Austen (1775-1817).
Taylor Cadbury warns against the dangers of materialism and emphasises the need for social reform with reference to women's involvement in efforts 'for housing reform, to provide good sanitation, hygienic conditions, good food' and 'efficient education'. Reflecting her address 'Whereunto?' which she delivered at the Union's 1910 conference, Taylor Cadbury also emphasises the equal need for spiritual development. Revealing the importance of her own religious faith in motivating her public philanthropic work, Taylor Cadbury describes how early Quakers 'made practical use' of the spiritual enlightenment which they achieved through their 'union and fellowship' with God. In a handwritten attachment to page eight of the address Taylor Cadbury writes 'we have not evolved our ideals of social reform & justice from our own consciousness, unaided by the Divine'. She explains that 'the impulse' behind good works came from God, emphasising the importance of spiritual enlightenment in ensuring 'the onward march of progress & reform'. |