What is it like to be a woman at the forefront of political life?
Discover the compelling narratives of women leading the charge in Welsh politics through the ground-breaking initiative by Archif Menywod Cymru/Women's Archive Wales. Dive into candid interviews with trailblazers from the Welsh Assembly, which preceded the Senedd, and was the first UK government to achieve gender parity in 2003. From the Social Services & Welfare Wales Act led by Gwenda Thomas, to the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act led by Jane Davidson, explore the stories of their political motivations, role models and how they navigated the challenges of balancing family life with political representation and their civic responsibilities.
Setting the Record Straight stands as an essential record of Wales's political evolution. A work of significant importance, it not only pays tribute to the accomplishments of these remarkable women, but also envisions a future where women of all ages and backgrounds continue to play a central role in shaping the policies and governance of Wales.
“It would have been an absolute scandal not to have captured these rich oral interviews from some genuine political pioneers. Without projects like this, we would continue to be restricted to seeing politics through an exclusively male lens. This fine and readable collection of interviews is not just enjoyable and enlightening, but invaluable to understanding devolution and women's history in Wales too.” Professor Laura McAllister