FRIEND OF WOMEN

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 171, 15 April 1932, Page 4

FRIEND OF WOMEN

Dr. Marion Phillips Dead BORN IN AUSTRALIA Dominion Special Service. (By Mavis.) London, February 10. With the passing of Dr. Dlarion Phillips, at the age of 50, not only has the Socialist party lost its chief woman organiser, but women of all classes will miss this devoted pioneer of their cause. Domestic workers in particular have lost one of their most stalwart champions. But they can never lose the enhanced status to which she helped them, nor will they ever lose the memory of one who fought so hard to make them happy. Born in Dlelbourne, Australia, Dr. Marion Phillips, the daughter of a lawyer, graduated at the University there. She came to England 20 years ago, as a Sarah Ann Rhodes scholar, aud took her D.Sc. (Economics) at the London University with a thesis on “A Colonial Autocracy,” which has since become a standard work.

A leading spirit in the “votes for women” movement, she became, in 1029, member of Parliament for Sunderland and held the seat until the last election. “The women’s section of the Labour Party is a monument to her great organising ability.” was the tributo paid to her by Dlr. Arthur Henderson. Practical to a degree, she disliked “fashions,” but she was one of tbe first to linve her hair shingled, and always wore low-heeled shoes. When a member of the House of Commons she designed a “uniform” for women Dl.P.’s. which she herself always wore. It consisted of an overall made of heavy black crepe-de-chinc. lined with bright silk and buttoned over her dress. Not only was Dr. Dlarion Phillips a pioneer among women, she was above ali. a friend of her own sex.