Working women in Fitzrovia, 1850 to 1950 – lunchtime talk at Fitzrovia Chapel

In the second half of the nineteenth century technological and social changes were responsible for bringing a huge number of women into the labour market.

Fitzrovia and its environs provided employment for both working class and middle class women as telephonists, typists, seamstresses, shop assistants, waitresses, and health care workers, including Britain’s most famous campaigner for birth control, Marie Stopes.

These changes created a need for housing and for places to eat, and women-only hostels and restaurants sprang up in the area.

And women entrepreneurs provided the new female denizens of Fitzrovia with everything from divided skirts to ice-creams.

The Women of Fitzrovia: “Working Women, 1850 to 1950”, presented by Sue Blundell and Nick Bailey at The Fitzrovia Chapel, 2 Pearson Square, London W1T 3BF. From 1pm to 2pm, Tuesday 28 July 2026. Entry is free but must be booked in advance.

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