The Co-operative Women's Guild was for many decades the largest working-class women’s organisation in Britain

The Co-operative Women’s Guild (CWG) was for many decades the largest working-class women’s organisation in Britain.

In 1883 Mrs Alice Acland became editor of the newly established “Woman’s Corner” of the Co-operative News. In her very first column she called for the creation of a women’s co-operative organisation, which became the CWG.

By 1900 the Women’s Guilds (including the CWG and its Scottish counterpart) counted more than 15,000 members. By 1920 this had grown to over 70,000. Membership continued to grow through the 1950s. Although today’s membership is much smaller than in previous years, the two Women’s Guilds remain active organisations within the co-operative movement.