XXV
MISS GERTRUDE SHAW
Whenin the spring of 1915 the cry for “shells and more shells” was answered by an almost miraculous development of munition factories, it was hardly contemplated what an immense share women would be able to take in the production of the output. It soon became apparent, however, that the national reserve of labour lay with them. In their tens of thousands women answered the appeal; in many cases leaving their homes to settle in munition areas where population was already congested, or where housing accommodation was on the smallest scale. To maintain the efficiency of these new industrial workers, it was clear that steps must be taken to secure suitable provision for food and shelter. The problem, indeed, soon became acute in some centres, and wide experiments for the protection of the women workers were made. That the results have been so good is due to the exertion of certain individual women of forceful character and of organising genius, and of these Miss Gertrude Shaw is an outstanding figure.
Trained from the outset of her life for the teaching profession, Miss Shaw rose to a headmistress-ship of a higher-grade girl’s school at Leeds, and proceeded in 1913 to fill the post of responsible mistress at the Women’s Institute, Woolwich. Besides her literaryand scientific qualifications, Miss Shaw had specialised in several domestic subjects, including laundry and cookery; she had also obtained the Royal Sanitary Institute’s certificates as school nurse and health visitor. She was thus fully equipped for the task when the sudden war demand arose at Woolwich for the safeguarding of the health of women munition workers.
The first necessity was the provision of adequate meals in the vicinity of the works. This demand was at once met by voluntary effort, and it was under the leadership of Lady Henry Grosvenor that Miss Shaw entered the service of the Y.M.C.A. as superior of canteens. She was thus “in at the birth” of the first canteen for girl munition workers at the Arsenal, and subsequently became responsible for the staff, catering, and equipment of four mess-rooms.
The success of these canteens soon led to Miss Shaw’s appointment to a wider sphere as lady superintendent of the newly erected Government colony at Coventry. This scheme embraces the housing and feeding of some 6000 girls and women, drawn from every part of the United Kingdom. A group of hostels has been built, each housing 100 girls, and each is under the direction of a competent matron. As lady superintendent Miss Shaw undertook the task of selection of all the matrons and their assistants, of the canteen managers and their subordinates; in all, a staff of some 300 persons. It must be recalled that in the organisation of the colony there was no precedent from which to take example, so each problem had to be met and solved as it arose. Miss Shaw’s experience and tact has stood her in good stead, and it may be stated without qualification thatthe colony has been an unexampled success. There have inevitably been difficulties as to the housing of girls from such different localities and varied stations in life that their habits, manners, speech at first presented awkward barriers; but the girls have been met in a spirit of confidence to which they could not fail to respond. Any religious problems have been entirely overcome by the careful selection of resident workers who represent the various denominations.
The canteen attached to the colony, where the girls from all the hostels take their meals, is a further triumph of far-sighted organisation. Lady cooks have been put in charge and labour-saving appliances introduced. It is no uncommon occurrence in the canteen to serve 2500 hungry workers with a hot meal within seven minutes of the sounding of the factory “buzzer” for the cessation of work.
In addition to this huge task, Miss Shaw has initiated many schemes for the recreation and education of her boarders. Classes in hospital work, fire drill, singing, dancing, and gymnastic exercises have been started, and are now most popular; occasional fancy-dress balls are encouraged, and games are taught. The result of these efforts is seen in the spirit of happiness pervading the colony and in the efficiency of the women workers in this group of factories, which surpasses the dreams of an optimist.
Miss Shaw, however, could not be spared to watch the results of her labour in Coventry, for, when she had established the colony in working order, her organising capacity was requisitioned for a still larger task. She is now inspecting and advising on canteens and hostels for the Ministry of Munitions all over the United Kingdom.