I've been transcribing a few new articles on Helen Barton from the National Library of Australia's wonderful archive and thought I'd share one. I've picked this one because it covers a lot of the basic story and because it's a lovely article.
(Follow the link here to see the full article in pdf format).
From the Warwick Examiner and Times, Queensland, 29th April 1911
Mrs. Helen Barton, a member of the world-famous City Council of Glasgow, will be in Warwick shortly, when she will deliver an address in the Town Hall.
The "Australian Christian World" says of the distinguished visitor :--
(Follow the link here to see the full article in pdf format).
From the Warwick Examiner and Times, Queensland, 29th April 1911
Mrs. Helen Barton, a member of the world-famous City Council of Glasgow, will be in Warwick shortly, when she will deliver an address in the Town Hall.
The "Australian Christian World" says of the distinguished visitor :--
Mrs. Barton is emphatically a platform woman. She is of those who sooner or later must disarm every prejudice to win the hearts of all who come into contact with her; because, shining through, every word she speaks, is the pure, single motive of true love for the people on whose behalf her strength is spent — a love that is motherly without being officious or sentimental, an emotion that rings true and is backed up by the consistent and selfless actions of a lifetime.
She is not a theorist, and her education in matters municipal, social, and economic was not got on the college bench. Of censoriousness, or that insane desire to correct and argue in season and out of season, there is no trace. In its stead we found a healthy and unaffected sympathy, and a tolerant understanding of human nature.
Her power of persuasion, her happy, frank manner, her indomitable energy and perseverance, and her strong practical sense have made every undertaking she has had a share in an unqualified success.
Ready and good natured, she can hold a platform with anyone, and her robust militant temperament and keen knowledge of human nature carry her through situations which would floor most women. Yet her speech is essentially womanly — an enthusiastic, trustful, tender appeal to the highest and best that is in us, and a homely, affectionate, humorous medley of story and sermon and argumentative speech.
She is not a theorist, and her education in matters municipal, social, and economic was not got on the college bench. Of censoriousness, or that insane desire to correct and argue in season and out of season, there is no trace. In its stead we found a healthy and unaffected sympathy, and a tolerant understanding of human nature.
Her power of persuasion, her happy, frank manner, her indomitable energy and perseverance, and her strong practical sense have made every undertaking she has had a share in an unqualified success.
Ready and good natured, she can hold a platform with anyone, and her robust militant temperament and keen knowledge of human nature carry her through situations which would floor most women. Yet her speech is essentially womanly — an enthusiastic, trustful, tender appeal to the highest and best that is in us, and a homely, affectionate, humorous medley of story and sermon and argumentative speech.
Though always deeply and practically interested in social and temperance work, she did not enter the arena of municipal activity until after the death of her husband — the gifted inventor of the "Barton" anchor, in use of the leading navies in the world — when a strong desire to secure temperance teaching in public schools caused her to stand as a candidate for the Shettleston School Board, Glasgow. She had a formidable opposition, consisting of no fewer than 17 male candidates, but gained an unequivocal victory, being returned by a large majority as the first lady member of a School Board. Her signal ability soon led to her election as chairwoman of the large Millerston Combination Board, and soon after she had the pleasure of seeing temperance teaching introduced into every school in that great district.
Five years ago she stood for the Glasgow Council — the largest and most progressive municipal council in the world — against five male candidates, and got in at the head of the poll. This happy experience has been repeated no fewer than three times within the last ten years, and her fellow members have again and again honored her by appointing her chairwoman of important committees.
Mrs. Barton will be accompanied by her daughter, Miss Nellie Barton, and during the evening will sing a number of popular Scotch songs.
Five years ago she stood for the Glasgow Council — the largest and most progressive municipal council in the world — against five male candidates, and got in at the head of the poll. This happy experience has been repeated no fewer than three times within the last ten years, and her fellow members have again and again honored her by appointing her chairwoman of important committees.
Mrs. Barton will be accompanied by her daughter, Miss Nellie Barton, and during the evening will sing a number of popular Scotch songs.
Follow the link here to see the full article in pdf format.