A History of Women in 100 Objects

The history of the world has been told in objects. But what about the objects that tell the history of women? What are the items that symbolise the journey of women from second-class citizens with no legal rights, no vote and no official status to the powerful people they are today? And what are the objects that still oppress women, even now? From the corset to the contraceptive pill, the bones of the first woman to Rosa Parks's mugshot and the iconic Mary Quant cape, A History of Women in 100 Objects documents the developing role of women in society through the lens of the inanimate objects that touched women's lives, were created by women or that at some time - perhaps even still - oppressed them. Woven by two leading historians, this complex, fascinating and vital tale of women and womanhood is told with a lightness of touch and depth of experience that will appeal to all those interested in women's history.

JANIS LOMAS completed her PhD on war widows at the University of Staffordshire, after which she worked as a lecturer in women's history at the University of Birmingham. She was a founding member of the Women's History Network, has served on the Executive Committee and founded the Women's History Network - Midlands Region over twenty years ago.