Have you ever stopped to think about how somewhere as small as your hometown could hold the key to understanding the broader events that have shaped the world?

Take Crewe, for example. It may seem like just another dot on the map, but it’s a vibrant, welcoming and proud community, one that has contributed significantly to shaping not only the UK but also global history.

I was born in the Estonian capital of Tallinn and moved to England when I was three years of age. I spent most of my childhood in London until I moved to Crewe at the age of 11. Due to how crowded London was you always felt somewhat anonymous. Being part of Crewe has taught me two crewe...cial lessons: the value of community and collective effort. The stories that have been passed down in our families-whether from our grandmothers, fathers, or neighbours-are not just fragments of the past. They are pieces of a much bigger puzzle, one that reveals the shared experiences of people across the globe.

When we look at the history of Crewe, we see that its development mirrors the industrial transformation of the UK. This small town, once a hamlet with only 70 people, exploded in size to 40,000 people during the Industrial Revolution. And this isn't just unique to Crewe; it's a story found all over the country-in places like Derby, Gateshead, and Wolverton. The late 1800s and early 1900s were a time of great change, marked by monumental events like World War I, the suffrage movement, workers' rights struggles, and the rise of industrialisation. And it was women – like those in Crewe – who were essential to this transformation.

In Crewe, we had women such as Daisy Haywood and Sarah Maddocks who were more than just names, they were kind of our first social justice warriors. But today I want to speak to you about one woman in particular: Ada Nield Chew. The Crewe Factory girl. I would like to take a quick poll, please raise your hand if you have heard of her? Now while you may not have heard of Ada, her story is one we all should recognise and it's my goal to bring her to life for you today. Ada was born in 1870, and was one of 13 children, she left school at the age of 11 to look after her family. Ada went on to become a seamstress who was employed in the Crewe works, now let me give you an idea of the conditions Ada worked in; can you imagine sewing for very long hours for extremely low pay, facing fines for going to the loo, being charged for tea breaks, your needle and thread, all while earning a lot less than your male colleagues. That's what Ada endured!

In the 1890s, she took action, writing anonymous letters to the Crewe Chronicle, exposing the appalling treatment of female factory workers. These letters sparked conversations that ultimately contributed to a broader movement for workers' rights and gender equality.

But Ada's activism didn't stop there. She joined the suffrage movement, but instead of aligning with the more militant branches like the Women's Social and Political Union, she chose to work with the Women's Freedom League, which championed peaceful protest. Ada's unique perspective was a reminder that suffrage wasn't just about women's right to vote-it was about fighting for justice for all women, especially those in the working class, who faced struggles far beyond the right to vote. She advocated for an inclusive, class-conscious suffrage movement-one that recognised the voices of working-class women who had been ignored by other suffragists.

Her work might not have made her as famous as figures like Emmeline Pankhurst, but it was just as significant. Ada Nield Chew showed us that true equality requires acknowledging all women, regardless of their class, race, or status. Her life and activism remain a testament to the power of grassroots movements and the ongoing fight for justice.

So, when we talk about local history, we can see that the struggles and triumphs of Crewe are not isolated. They reflect the struggles and triumphs of people everywhere, especially those who fought for basic rights and better lives. The women of Crewe were Instrumental to the town's growth and success, and their contributions were often overlooked-until people like Ada Nield Chew stepped up to tell their story.

In conclusion, the history of a small town like Crewe can tell us a global story-one of struggle, resilience, and progress. By looking at the local, we understand the global. The stories of working-class women like Ada Nield Chew remind us that change doesn't just happen in big cities, on grand stages or a Taylor Swift concert. It happens in the everyday struggles of ordinary people, people whose stories are often untold, but whose impact can be felt all around the world. I'll leave you with what brought me here today, in the words of Ada Nield Chew – “I could not stay silent”.