Society for the Overseas Settlement of British Women

The Society for the Overseas Settlement of British Women (SOSBW) (1919-1962) was established as a direct response to the economic and social position of British women after the end of the First World War. Many women who had been trained for jobs vacated by enlisted men found themselves unemployed after 1918 and in financial hardship. Emigration to parts of the Empire was regarded as a solution to this problem. At this point, the British Government established its Overseas Settlement Committee to deal with general emigration, but when dealing with women emigrants, it was decided the its Overseas Settlement Committee would work through the existing voluntary body, the Joint Council of Women's Emigration Societies (1917-1919). The Joint Council comprised the Colonial Intelligence League, the British Women's Emigration Association and the South African Colonisation Society. In Dec 1919, aiming to respond to the governments needs more closely, the three amalgamated to form the Society for the Overseas Settlement of British Women. On the new council were representatives from the Girls' Friendly Society, the World's Young Women's Christian Association (YMCA), the ex-Servicewomen's Association and the Women's Labour Organisation, the Women's Catholic Emigration Society, the National Federation of General Workers, the Joint Committee of the Industrial Women's Organisation, the National Amalgamated Society of Women Workers, the Ministry of Labour and the Overseas Settlement Committee. The new organisation advised the Overseas Settlement Committee on government policy regarding emigrating women, as well as assessing an individual's suitability for emigration and overseeing the passage, safety and employment of those chosen. With the increase of emigration in the 1920s, the organisation grew, creating a junior branch in Jul 1925. It additionally organised tours for schoolgirls of Canada (1928 and 1936) and Australia (1934). These tours ceased upon the outbreak of World War Two when the Council assisted the evacuation of children. The new Companies Act of 1948 led to a reorganisation and in 1949 the new advisory council, comprised of representatives from: the Ministry of Labour and National service, the Women's Land Services, the Women's Land Army, the Headmistresses' Association, the British Council and the Standing Joint Committee of Working Women's Organisations, also representatives of voluntary societies such as the Family Welfare Association, Girls' Friendly Society, Girl Guides Association, the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), the Mother's Union, the National Association of Girls' Clubs and Mixed Clubs, the National Council of Social Service, the Victoria League and the National Council of Women. Its remit expanded to include helping women who wished to spend only short periods abroad and assisting with arrangements before and after the voyage. With this in mind, the society was renamed the Women's Migration & Overseas Appointments Society in 1962. However, withdrawal of funding by the Treasury resulted in the end of the society in 1964. (Administrative History courtesy of The Women's Library)