Honouring a Pioneer: Margaret Llewelyn Davies

Honouring a Pioneer: A Plaque for Margaret Llewelyn Davies in Hampstead

Guest blog by Marielle O’Neill

A bright and sunny afternoon in Hampstead on 18 June 2025 marked a powerful moment of remembrance as a plaque was unveiled at 26 Well Walk to celebrate the life and legacy of Margaret Llewelyn Davies (1861-1944) — one of Britain’s most influential advocates for women’s rights. From 1925 to 1935, this was the home she shared with her partner, Lilian Harris. Today, it stands as a quiet but enduring tribute to a woman whose radical politics, progressive ideals, and tireless campaigning transformed the lives of countless women.

Margaret Llewelyn Davies, shaped by a childhood rooted in Christian Socialist values and social reform, emerged as a tireless advocate for women's rights. The daughter of Reverend John Llewelyn Davies, a progressive cleric, she was educated at Queen’s College, London, and Girton College, Cambridge – a women’s college co-founded by her aunt Emily Davies. Her most lasting impact came through her leadership of the Women’s Co-operative Guild (WCG), which she joined in 1883 and led as general secretary from 1889 to 1922. Under her guidance, the Guild became a powerful voice for working-class women, championing issues such as fair wages, maternity benefits, and divorce rights.

Installed by the Heath and Hampstead Society, the plaque honours Davies’ remarkable contributions to the women’s movement and her deep connection to Hampstead’s long tradition of social and political reform.

The ceremony opened with remarks from Frank Harding, Chair of the Heath and Hampstead Society, who spoke of the area’s role as a haven for trailblazers and history-makers.

Emma Dogliani, Margaret’s great-great-niece, described the heartfelt campaign that led to the plaque’s installation, expressing gratitude to those involved —including the Heath and Hampstead Society, homeowners Peter and Suzanne Burnstein, the Virginia Woolf Society of Great Britain, scholar Marielle O’Neill, and the dedicated group known as ‘Team Margaret’: Jane Wynne Willson , Ruth Willson, Davies’ biographer, Ruth Cohen and Judith Nesbit as well as Emma herself. 

Marielle O’Neill offered a reflection on Davies’ enduring influence, particularly through her leadership of the Women’s Co-operative Guild. Under Davies’ stewardship, the Guild grew to 50,000 members and became a driving force in educating working-class women and equipping them to participate in public life.

‘Margaret Llewelyn Davies’ tireless advocacy for maternity rights brought about real, practical change. She believed fiercely in giving working-class women something they had long been denied: a voice, a presence, and most importantly recognition. She didn’t just campaign for their rights—she demanded society acknowledge the worth of their labour and the dignity of their lives.’

One of Davies’ most impactful achievements came in 1913, when she led the Guild’s successful effort to amend the 1911 Government Insurance Bill to include maternity benefits — a milestone in British social policy. 

The event’s most touching moment came from Jane Wynne Willson, Margaret’s great-niece, who shared vivid memories of living with Margaret and Lilian during the Second World War. To close the ceremony, she blew a whistle that Margaret once used to call Lilian — who was deaf — a simple but powerful gesture of remembrance and connection.

‘Margaret Llewelyn Davies was a true pioneer’, said Jane Wynne Willson. ‘Through her work as leader of the Women’s Cooperative Guild she unlocked many doors in the lives of working women. She had a clear vision of what needed to be done and the skill and perseverance to fulfill that vision.’

The Virginia Woolf Society of Great Britain was represented by Chair Claire Nicholson, former Vice-Chair Ruth Webb and Marielle O’Neill. Claire Nicholson noted:

‘It was a great pleasure to represent the VWSGB at the celebration of Margaret Llewelyn Davies… It was especially wonderful to meet her descendants and relatives, including Jane Wynne Willson. Virginia and Leonard Woolf benefitted from a long and productive friendship with Margaret, and I am sure the Woolfs would have approved of the simple but moving ceremony which acknowledged her pioneering work.’

 Ruth Webb added:

‘The extent of Davies’ impressive achievements, and her long friendship with Leonard and Virginia Woolf, are too little known. Visiting the plaque will now become part of the regular ‘plaque walks’ around Hampstead and Highgate, encouraging more people to learn about her life and work.’

Virginia Woolf and Margaret Llewelyn Davies were connected through a longstanding familial friendship established by their fathers. In 1911, when Virginia introduced her fiancé, Leonard Woolf, to Margaret, the two formed an immediate rapport, initiating a close personal and political relationship that also served to strengthen the bond between Virginia and Margaret. Margaret remained a loyal and supportive presence during Virginia’s mental health crisis in 1915, offering steadfast assistance to both Virginia and Leonard during this difficult period.

In 1913, Margaret introduced the Woolfs to the principles and practices of the co-operative movement, deepening their shared intellectual and political commitments. The Woolfs subsequently worked closely with Davies on co-operative politics in several capacities. Leonard Woolf delivered lectures across the country on economics and international affairs to co-operative societies and served as an advisor to Davies on related matters. Between 1916 and 1923, Virginia Woolf hosted meetings of the Women’s Co-operative Guild at her home in Richmond and played an active role in organising guest speakers. She also contributed to the Hogarth Press’s publication of Life as We Have Known It (1931), a collection of autobiographical writings by working-class women, edited by Davies and introduced with a letter from Virginia.

After the unveiling, attendees gathered at Burgh House for tea and cakes, hosted by the Heath and Hampstead Society. The conversations continued — about Davies, her legacy, and her enduring friendships, including with Virginia and Leonard Woolf. Guests were privileged to look through Margaret’s common place books (scrapbooks of newspaper clippings).

Margaret Llewelyn Davies was not only a leader; she was a visionary. The plaque now fixed to her former home is more than a marker of history — it is a call to remember a life that made a lasting difference. Her courage and conviction still resonate, reminding us of the strength found in collective action and the profound impact of a single determined voice.

Further Reading

Ruth Cohen, With Women for a New World: Margaret Llewelyn Davies, (London: Merlin Press, 2020)

Jane Wynne Willson, The Chain of Love (London: Garland Publications, 2018)

Photo credits: Frankie Lister-Fell/New Camden Journal for the group photo and photo of Emma Dogliani, Jane Wynne Willson and Marielle O’Neill. House photo by Marielle O’Neill. Archive photos of Margaret Llewelyn Davies and Lilian Harris courtesy (c) of Jane Wynne Willson.