Motion: Right to Remember Mary Barbour

Right to Remember Mary Barbour

Lodged by Hugh Henry Standard Motion 28 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament congratulates everyone involved in the fundraising efforts for a commemorative cairn in Kilbarchan to honour Mary Barbour; notes in particular the efforts of Councillors Derek Bibby and Chris Gilmour in helping to secure the support of Renfrewshire Council; recognises that Mary Barbour was a pioneering political activist who was born in Kilbarchan in 1875, the daughter of a carpet weaver, who also lived in Elderslie and worked as a thread twister for a time before moving to Glasgow and becoming one of the first female councillors in Scotland; understands that Mary organised and led the Glasgow rent strikes in 1915 to help protect vulnerable families from unscrupulous landlords who increased rent prices during the First World War; welcomes what it considers the striking cairn in New Street in Kilbarchan in Mary’s honour and notes that descendants of Mary were in attendance at its unveiling, and believes that the village will take pride in Mary’s achievements and will help to keep Mary’s memory and desire for social justice alive.

Supporters (28)