Eleanor Marx Award 2018 - nominations open

Eleanor Marx was born on the 16th of January 1855. She spent her whole life fighting to improve the living standards of working class people, was a leading light in the struggle for women’s rights and was central in the founding of our union.

In 1889 at the age of 34, Eleanor worked alongside Will Thorne in setting up the Gas & General Workers union in Beckton East London - she's often credited with teaching him to read and write.

Over 800 gas workers joined the union on the day of its launch in east London. In just two weeks over 3,000 signed up, rallying behind the demand for an eight hour day.

She went on to set up the first women’s branch of the union and was unanimously elected to the executive in 1891 and began organising in the struggle of women workers in east London’s rubber industry, a dispute involving thousands.

In honour of Eleanor, GMB designated the 16th of January - her birthday - as ‘Eleanor Marx Day’.

To celebrate her life's work, and continue her legacy, we also launched a special award to be given to an outstanding female member or activist of our union.

There are so many women throughout our union doing amazing work who don't get the recognition they deserve, such as Cath Murphy an ASDA worker from Scotland who was given the first ever Eleanor Marx Award, Mary Turner former GMB President and Jo Cox former MP.

We interviewed last year's winner, Taranjit Chana, to tell you a bit about the award:

Do you know a woman who is a GMB Member or Lay Representative, whose hard work and commitment deserves to be recognised? Is there an outstanding female member or activists in your Branch or Workplace?

All GMB members can nominate a woman for this award and it could not be easier to do so. Simply fill in this nomination form no later than 31st March 2018.

Your nomination will then be checked and verified by your region and the successful candidate will receive the award at the GMB National Congress.

#EQUALITIES