Shena Simon

Shena Dorothy Simon, Baroness Simon of Wythenshawe (née Potter; 21 October 1883 – 17 July 1972), was an English politician, feminist, educationalist and writer. She was Lady Mayoress of Manchester, during her husband's term as Lord Mayor, from 1921 to 1922. From 1924 to 1933, Lady Simon served on the Manchester City Council. She was the founder of the Women Citizens' Association in Manchester.

Early years

Shena Dorothy Potter was born on 21 October 1883, daughter of John Wilson Potter and Jane Boyd Potter.

In 1911 Shena Potter became secretary of a committee for safeguarding women's rights under David Lloyd George's National Insurance Act 1911. She devoted much energy to planning the Wythenshawe housing estate, but her recommendations were not always practical. For example, she fought for glazing bars in windows since they would make the housing more cottage-like in appearance, although the windows would be harder to clean. She accepted the conventional division of labour between men and women, at least for the working classes, where the woman minded the home. In 1939 Shena Simon published her book A Hundred Years of City Government, Manchester 1838–1938. She was also the author of several pamphlets on education. The Fabian Society published her pamphlet on The Education Act, 1944,: Provisions and possibilities in 1945. Her pamphlet Three Schools or One? (1948) called for establishment of multilateral or comprehensive schools.