Marion Shimmin

Marion Shimmin (née Fallows; 1879 – 29 June 1942) was an English-born musician, educator, activist and Manx politician. She was elected in 1933 as the first woman member of the House of Keys (the lower house of the Isle of Man parliament), representing the constituency of Peel, Isle of Man.

Biography Marion Fallows was born in 1879 in Manchester, Lancashire, England. She was the daughter of James and Caroline Fallows and was the second of their five children. The family moved around Europe for her father's job, including a three-year stint in Łódź, Russian Empire (now in Poland). She played the fiddle and piano, studied classical music in Manchester and qualified as a teacher.

Shimmin and her husband were both interested in Manx history, Manx artistic culture and the context of the Isle of Man in the British Isles. They collected folk stories, examples of the Manx language and music, which informed the work of Yn Çheshaght Ghailckagh (The Manx Language society). Shimmin was elected unopposed at the subsequent by-election to the Peel seat, despite attempts being made to block her initial candidacy campaign. She was the first woman member of the House of Keys. Shimmin was re-elected in 1934 and served until her death. While in the House of Keys, Shimmin fought for social reform, was a member of the fisheries, health, insurance and pensions committees and was part of the education council. Both Marion and Christopher were MHKs representing the Manx Labour Party.

The Peel City Guardian reported that Shimmin was "a most intelligent and capable lady, if anything above the average standard of members of the present House [of Keys]."

Shimmin died on 29 June 1942.