Discover the transport heroines at London Transport Museum
In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, women’s roles in public transport were limited.
Wartime employment brought new opportunities and gradually women took on jobs as bus conductors – known as ‘clippies’ – station-women, and canteen assistants, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that women first sat in the driving seat.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of London Transport recruiting women as bus drivers in 1974, with the appointment of Jill Viner as the first recruit. The recruitment of women as Tube train drivers would soon follow in 1978.
Sharing the stories of the transport heroines, London Transport Museum in Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, has a line-up of February half term activities.
Until Sunday February 18, Women at Work in the museum will teach visiting families about the women drivers, conductors, mechanics, engineers, designers, and artists who have kept London’s transport moving over the years.
Transport heroines featured throughout the event include Susan Atyeo, the first signal woman to join in 1979 and Helen Clifford, who qualified as London Transport’s first woman bus mechanic in 1984.
There will be a self-guided trail around the museum galleries, craft sessions and zine-making workshops, as well as guided tours of the new Global Poster Gallery.
Children go free and adult tickets include free return entry for a whole year.
On March 8, to mark International Women’s Day, the museum will be hosting an after-hours workshop with curator-led talks and panel discussions exploring the issues women faced entering an industry dominated by men.
Guests can also explore the newly opened Global Poster Gallery, play at being a train driver on an Elizabeth line driving simulator.
Tickets for this event cost £18 and it is restricted to ages 18 and over.
(Picture: British Transport Museum)
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