Description:Entry Submitted by Caroline Forman [Birmingham Archives and Heritage Department]
Elizabeth was the wife of George Cadbury, of Cadbury’s Chocolate, Bournville. She was brought up in a period of British history when labour markets were expanding, trades were reskilling and a wider understanding of social awareness and peoples’ welfare was coming into being. Elizabeth was an avid Philanthropist – donating time and services to socially beneficial causes. Joseph Chamberlain’s radical improvement left Birmingham particularly suited to the ideals and nature of Elizabeth Cadbury.“Already, at twenty-five, it was the immediate, practical steps…that appealed to Elsie rather than…dreams of a social utopia”.
Her main interests in Birmingham lay in the welfare of children, healthcare and education. She used her social position and society membership as a platform to voice her concerns. She drew upon her experience from the Cadbury works that specific provisions of pay, ventilated rooms and good food should be provided by the employer. Her husband often consulted her on such matters, with regards to his employees. “We are held up, because industry itself is crippled by the workman’s sense of insecurity…by the distrust…between employers and the employed…”
As part of her earlier work in Birmingham, she set up the Women’s Adult School. Men were already invited to join adult schools, but now their wives also wanted to be included. To Elizabeth, the school was a useful vehicle to expand thoughts, training, knowledge, and understanding for adults. This was to be her first public service in Birmingham, and one which she remained close to, up until her death. In 1898 Elizabeth founded the Birmingham Union of Girls' Clubs. This encouraged activities and learning, mainly for working class girls, to strengthen their health and enlighten their minds. The club partook in friendly competitions and debates with similar clubs in other towns, and enjoyed outings together. In eight years, membership had increased ten-fold, and more clubs were set up around the country.
The expansion of such girl’s and women’s clubs nationwide led to the establishment of a national Union of Women Workers (later called the National Council of Women). Elizabeth was a member from 1896, and President of the Union from 1906 to 1907. Education, employment welfare, and housing were the main issues that the Union addressed, aiming to bring insight into improving them. “Can anything be more terrible, more soul destroying…than the awful conditions of the slums in all our big cities?”
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