Tweedy, Hilda (b. 1911)

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Tweedy, Hilda (b. 1911)

Irish feminist and consumer affairs campaigner. Born Hilda Anderson in Clones, Co. Monaghan, Ireland, Aug 26, 1911; dau. of James Ferguson Anderson (Church of Ireland cleric) and Muriel Frances Victoria (Swayne) Anderson; educated at Alexandra School and College, Dublin, and at University of London; m. Robert Massy Tweedy, July 18, 1936; children: 1 son, 1 daughters.

Cofounded the Irish Housewives' Committee (IHC, 1942), which was reorganized as the Irish Housewives' Association (IHA, 1946), to (1) unite housewives in order to ensure their right to play an active part in community planning; (2) establish real equality of liberties, status and opportunity for everyone; and (3) defend consumers' rights in the supply, distribution and price of essential commodities; represented Ireland at International Alliance of Women (IAW) congresses (1949–86); became a founder member and the 1st chair of the Council for the Status of Women (1972); wrote A Link in the Chain: The Irish Housewives' Association 1942–1992 (1992). Received honorary doctorate, Trinity College, Dublin (1990).

See also Women in World History.