13. The Woman Behind the Welfare State

Eleanor Rathbone was instrumental to the implementation of child benefit and the welfare state, why have we forgotten her? Who were the two million “superfluous women” recorded in the 1921 census? How did Eleanor campaign for over three decades for caregiving to be recognised as “real work”?

Joining David Olusoga and Sarah Churchwell as they explore the fascinating story of the campaigner and politician Eleanor Rathbone.

Start uncovering stories in your family like this one today, in collections from censuses, military rolls and parish registers at: findmypast.co.uk/journey-through-time

Email: journeythroughtime@goalhanger.com

X: @ThroughTimePod (x.com/ThroughTimePod)

Blue Sky: @ThroughTimePod (bsky.app/profile/throughtimepod.bsky.social)

Instagram: @ThroughTimePod (instagram.com/throughtimepod)

Assistant Producer: Alice Horrell

Producer: Callum Hill

Senior Producer: Dom Johnson

Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

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