Baroness Alice Bacon
Alice Martha Bacon was born on September 10, 1909, in Normanton. Her father was active as both a councillor and a miner, and so Alice was brought up immersed in local politics and community. Alice delivered her first speech aged 16 at Normanton Railwaymen’s Club. By 1945, she was elected as MP for Leeds North East and would go on to hold many important roles including Minister of State. She was a consistent voice in support of progressive reforms like decriminalising homosexuality and the move to allow for abortions. She also championed state schools. Alice was given a CBE in 1953 and in 1970 she was created Baroness Bacon.
Alice died on March 24, 1993 at the age of 83. As one of the first female MPs, she left an indelible mark on politics.
Alice’s blue plaque and subsequent campaign was the pilot for our Forgotten Women project. Here is a video of the project at the time and the group’s reflections on Alice Bacon.
We unveiled Alice’s blue plaque in an International Women’s Day ceremony in 2018. It now sits proudly on Normanton Town Hall.
Creative Response
In 2018 the Forgotten Women of Wakefield team travelled down to Westminster to unveil a Baroness Bacon Beer in celebration of Alice’s life. The event was attended by several MPs including Rachel Reeves. The beer was brewed by Five Towns Brewery and was made available in the Stranger’s Bar for a week after the team’s visit. It was also made available through a club in Normanton that Alice herself had opened.
Alice Bacon Broadsheet
Alice Bacon lived a life of public service, using her powerful voice to inspire others and fight for progressive social values. Read more about her in our broadsheets below:
Alice Bacon’s Blue Plaque
Press & Media Links
Baroness Alice Bacon beer unveiled at Westminster
Beer created to honour Yorkshire’s first female MP Alice Bacon to be served up in parliament
Raising a glass to Baroness Bacon: Beer goes on tap in Parliament to celebrate Yorkshire’s first female MP
BBC Two – Daily Politics, 21/06/2018, Cheers to Alice Bacon!