Mary Barbour

1875–1958

Scottish political activist perhaps most well known for her leadership during the 1915 rent strikes. Residents of Govan participating in the strikes became known as Mrs Barbour's Army. She was also a founder of the Women's Peace Crusade.

Barbour went on to be among the first women elected to Glasgow City Council. She spent her later years founding Glasgow’s first contraceptive clinic, and taking working class young people from Govan to the seaside, allowing many of them to leave the city for the first time.

There is a statue commemorating Barbour in front of the Govan Interchange.

As a member of Living Rent Tenant's Union, I consider myself part of the spiritual successor to Mrs Barbour's Army.