Sarah Lees
Encyclopedia
Dame Sarah Lees, DBE
(1842/1843—1935) was an English
politician and civic activist. She became the first female Mayor of Oldham on 9 November 1910, only the second woman in England to hold such a position. She was also the first woman councillor ever elected in Lancashire
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, Lancashire
. Sarah Lees was the first woman to sit on Oldham
's Town Council, representing the Hollinwood Ward, after the Qualification of Women Act 1907 was passed by Parliament. Already in her 60s, Sarah Lees was named the first woman Freeman of the Borough of Oldham in November 1909. She became Mayor of Oldham the following year, only the second woman to be installed with that title in the United Kingdom.
Dame Sarah opened "The Nook" Convalescent Hospital, Greenfield on 28th July 1927 which was bequested by the late Mr H.L. Hargraves, attended by The Mayor of Oldham, Alderman Samuel Frith, J.P. Dr Thomas Fawsitt, Chairman of the proceedings (Lees and Fawsitt ward) Oldham royal Infirmary.
With the sum of £13,296 the foundation stone was laid in 23 April 1870 and the building was actually opened in 20 sept 1872, originally to be opened by Miss Florence Nightingale who was unable to do so due to illness.The original number of beds were 24, but they increased to 150. In 1926 5,206 new out patients applied for treatment. 5349 accidents were admitted.1,402 for radiography, 25,256 attendances for in massage and electro-therapeutic departments.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(1842/1843—1935) was an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
politician and civic activist. She became the first female Mayor of Oldham on 9 November 1910, only the second woman in England to hold such a position. She was also the first woman councillor ever elected in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
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Career
Born in 1842 or 1843 as Sarah Buckley, she married Charles Edward Lees, JP, on 30 July 1874 in OldhamOldham
Oldham is a large town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amid the Pennines on elevated ground between the rivers Irk and Medlock, south-southeast of Rochdale, and northeast of the city of Manchester...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. Sarah Lees was the first woman to sit on Oldham
Oldham
Oldham is a large town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amid the Pennines on elevated ground between the rivers Irk and Medlock, south-southeast of Rochdale, and northeast of the city of Manchester...
's Town Council, representing the Hollinwood Ward, after the Qualification of Women Act 1907 was passed by Parliament. Already in her 60s, Sarah Lees was named the first woman Freeman of the Borough of Oldham in November 1909. She became Mayor of Oldham the following year, only the second woman to be installed with that title in the United Kingdom.
Dame Sarah opened "The Nook" Convalescent Hospital, Greenfield on 28th July 1927 which was bequested by the late Mr H.L. Hargraves, attended by The Mayor of Oldham, Alderman Samuel Frith, J.P. Dr Thomas Fawsitt, Chairman of the proceedings (Lees and Fawsitt ward) Oldham royal Infirmary.
With the sum of £13,296 the foundation stone was laid in 23 April 1870 and the building was actually opened in 20 sept 1872, originally to be opened by Miss Florence Nightingale who was unable to do so due to illness.The original number of beds were 24, but they increased to 150. In 1926 5,206 new out patients applied for treatment. 5349 accidents were admitted.1,402 for radiography, 25,256 attendances for in massage and electro-therapeutic departments.
Other positions held
- President of the Oldham Royal Infirmary
- Member, Court of Manchester University
- Chairman, Oldham Branch of the League of NationsLeague of NationsThe League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
Awards
- Awarded an honorary LLD by Manchester University in July 1914.
- Created Dame Commander of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
on 25 August 1917 in recognition of her services during World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
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