Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth, born in 1886, defied the expectations of her class and era instead of choosing a conventional path, she chose one of purpose - building spaces of learning, dignity and community. The Gawthorpe Textiles Collection, which she began and nurtured throughout her life, is now one of the most significant of its kind in the UK. She was also a founding force in the Girl Guide movement in Lancashire and a tireless advocate for women's education and opportunity.Jane Hellebrand started her research in 2012 while volunteering at Gawthorpe and her work on the Biographygained pace during lockdown. Jane thought that Rachel really did want her life to be remembered. The title Undaunted takes its name from a pair of engraved needlework scissors gifted to her in `933 when she opened an Unemployed Women's Club in Burnley. The word perfectly captures her resilience in the face of personal and societal loss - including the deaths of both her brothers in WW1 and her nephews in WW11.Today, Rachael's story continues, not only through exhibitions and education, but through responsible commercial partnerships that use designs from the collection to create high quality products.We will be delighted to welcome Rachael Kay-Shuttleworth's great nephew, Lord Shuttleworth who will make the Introduction to today's Literary Lunch.
