With the rise of the Indian independence, British women who had lived in India encouraged leading London organisations to co-operate in India’s emerging women’s movements through delegates to round table conferences. The Women’s Council began as “The Women’s Advisory Council on Indian Question and, founded in 1931 as an activist ‘umbrella’ group for about twenty women’s organisations in the UK. It was specifically concerned with campaigning for women’s rights in India, including their right to vote. It also provided information about Indian affairs for women in the UK. Members included such prominent women as Eleanor Rathbone, M.P., Margery Corbett-Ashby, Lady (Dorothea) Layton, Lady Violet Bonham-Carter Kathleen Courtney and Mrs. Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence.
From 1935 a small group of members, known as the ‘Liaison Group’, worked in co-operation with the ‘All India Women’s Conference’ to strengthen links between women of both countries, publishing the ‘Bulletins of Indian Women’s Movement’. Those chiefly concerned were Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and Lady Rama Rau in India, with Maud Dickinson and Grace Lankester in the UK.
The original NGO was dissolved after the new Indian constitution had been drawn up, though cooperation continued through the Liaison Group of organisations affiliated to the All India Women’s Conference
The organisation was reformed following a meeting to discuss developments in the political situation, at which Corbett Ashby moved that the Secretary of State for India be asked to receive a deputation from the meeting.
The nature of the council changed to become more focussed on networking and became concerned with friendship and interaction between educated and liberally minded women in the UK and initially those in India, Pakistan and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)
Thousands of books were sent to overseas libraries and schools through the Ranfurly Library Scheme renamed Book Aid in 1954). The Ranfurly Library Scheme was initially established in 1954 by Lady Ranfurly aimed at provising books to libraries and educational instiutions in developing countries.
Relationships expanded between the Council and other countries in Asia including Thailand and Philippines. Here was a strong emphasis on the advancement of women through mutual cooperation and exchange of experience and establishing contacts with many other Asian countries through women’s organisations and diplomatic missions in London. There were informal meetings with such visitors, and large gatherings, such as an annual Asian Feast. Students were helped with bursaries, visits to hospitals and welfare centres arranged, and exhibitions and galas organised.
Opened by HRH Princess Alexandra. Children of Asia: a living exhibition by children and about children of Asia’. The exhibition was held in London on 16-19 November 1965, after which a travelling version of the exhibition toured five other UK cities.
The main focus of the Women’s Council was bringing young women from Asia and Asia-Pacific to Britain for training in child care and social work, under the Assisted Scholarship Scheme. Initially, this was achieved in cooperation with the Save the Children Fund and the Cheshire Homes; subsequently a special course was arranged at Ware College, Hertfordshire, which grew to be a university diploma course for professionals.
The slogan of the Assisted Scholarship Scheme was, ‘Train One, Train a Hundred’.
Beginning with two girls who cared for Tibetan refugee children, over 300 girls and young women from 120 countries have been trained in the care and education of disabled children and orphans.
Money for the scheme was raised with the help of generous corporate and personal donors and also by a series of dramatic ‘Galas’, with Asian young people performing and illustrious patrons, including HRH Princess Anne.
Lady Joan Wilford becomes President of TWC, maintaining a ‘hand-on’ role. She helped guide the council through compliance and regulation changes through a strengthened relationship with the Charities Commission. She was a driving force to recruit new members and TWC maintained a healthy programme of events to entice members and non members to attend. Lady Joan was elected as President Emerita when she retired from TWC.
Mrs Douglas Montagu-Douglas-Scott retired after first Chairing TWC and then taking on the role of President. Lady Kings Norton was elected as President and Mrs Caroline Muir was elected as the new Chairman
Joan, The Lady Kings Norton joined at the time TWC had agreed to take up supporting two training courses (in Cairo and Mumbai).
