In 2019-2021 WRC delivered the Sisters Doing It For Themselves project, by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

The project set out to create a unique oral history archive documenting the testimonies of unknown current and past leaders of London-based women's charities and interviews between schoolgirls and women leaders. This archive is now live and is a fantastic resource to learn more about the journey for women activists and women's organisations. 

View the archive

The Women’s Voluntary and Community Sector (WVCS) grew out of the Women’s Liberation Movement (WLM) which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020.

The contribution of the WVCS in advancing women’s rights is largely undocumented.  Many of the women who were involved in setting up women’s organisations and campaigning for change are now in their late 50s and 60s. Their struggles and achievements have remained largely invisible. 

WRC's Sisters Doing It For Themselves project created a unique oral history archive documenting the testimonies of current and past leaders.

This archive illustrates the impact that the WVCS has had on the structural position of women, through campaigning and influencing. The archive also provides insight into the impact on the lives of the women themselves as drivers of the movement.

Two London schools were involved in the project. The pupils taking part learnt about women's position in 1970s/80s; were trained to and conduct oral history interviews of women leaders; took part in feminist leadership training; and identified and researched local women leaders.

Alongside this, we collaborated with the Women’s Library’s Archives and Special Collections at the London School of Economics Library, to ensure an untold story is captured through archiving digital recordings, transcripts and photographs.

Thank you to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for making this project possible.