"We are not going to give away patterns of woolly waistcoats for men or hints on making ottomans out of egg-boxes’ - international womens day

International Women Day is celebrated on the 8th March to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women.

This year the theme is press for progress.

So here are some free examples of women’s writings which pressed for progress as selected by the LSE Library.

"We are not going to give away patterns of woolly waistcoats for men or hints on making ottomans out of egg-boxes’

Wrote the editor of the Vote

December 2nd 1909 (page 67) She argues that the ordinary women’s newspapers are based on false boundaries of what men think is women’s role – housekeeping, clothes, and cookery

Instead the Vote aimed to offer stimulating writing on a wider range of topics. Certainly in this issue the largest article is coverage of the old Bailey trial of two suffragettes Mrs Chapin and Miss Neilans who were accused of tampering with a ballot box

The Vote was published by the Women's Freedom League from 1909-33.
The Women's Freedom League was formed in 1907 by former members of the Women's Social and Political Union who sought to create an activist organisation militating for change but without advocating violence. The WFL favoured peaceful lawbreaking such as demonstration, disruption, and refusal to pay taxes and complete the census.. Archival papers are held at the Women’s Library@LSE. You can explore the issues free on the Google website

‘We are not attempting the impossible. To try to explain Women's Liberation in one quick, easy lesson would be both ludicrous and wrong.’

Wrote the editor in the first issue of Spare Rib

Spare Rib was a leading women’s liberation periodicals of the 1970s. You can view the full archive online via the British Library website. Paper issues are held by the Women’s Library@LSE

The first issue cost 17.5 pence . It asked what is a feminist? And had an interview with footballer George Best plus a cookery feature where (pre microwave) you could mix up a chicken casserole in a pan with draught cider (page 36) or save time by making a banana and raw cabbage salad!

Further research
Find more about the women’s Library@LSE. It includes books, magazines and archives from UK and some overseas women. In terms of the latter it incorporates the Sadd-Brown Library with books and periodicals by and about women of the Commonwealth nations.

Explore contemporary 19th/ early 20th century women’s writings in the online .these resources are offered to visitors

The Gerritsen collection - an international women's history resource containing rare books and journals.

Independent voices: a collection of the alternative press. Which has great examples of women’s liberation organisations from the USA from the 1970s online

Communication and Mass Media complete – has journal articles covering women’s journalism and use of the media.

Explore our Gender Subject Guide.