Boothroyd, Betty (1929–)

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Boothroyd, Betty (1929–)

British politician. Born Betty Boothroyd in 1929; dau. of union activists; never married.

The 1st female speaker of the House of Commons, spent 1940s on tour with a dancing troupe called the Tiller Girls; entered politics (1950) as an assistant to several members of Parliament; made a few unsuccessful runs for MP within the Labour Party, before winning (1973); became deputy speaker (1987); was elected speaker in a landslide victory (1992).

See also Women in World History.