31 October 2013

'Mary Lily Walker - From Science to Society' - Dundee Arts Cafe on 5th November

The tireless work that Victorian social reformer Mary Lily Walker put into improving the lives and living conditions of her fellow Dundonians will be examined at the next Dundee Arts Cafe event.

Eddie Small, a tutor at the University of Dundee and author of 'Mary Lily Walker: Forgotten Visionary of Dundee', will reveal how Walker went about collecting the evidence that brought national attention to the desperate plight of women and children in the city and beyond at The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum on Tuesday, 5th November. The event takes place as part of the 2013 Dundee Science Festival.

Walker was one of the first graduates of University College Dundee and one of the first women in Scotland to be taught in the same classroom as men, winning prizes in Botany, Biology and Embryology.

After graduating, her attention turned from science to society, becoming the first person to gather evidence on housing and the health of women working in Dundee's jute factories at a time when one in five babies born in the city died before their first birthday. She set up pioneering restaurants across Dundee at which mothers could get free meals as well as being instrumental in establishing a dispensary and women's hospital in the city.

It is claimed Walker's findings were influential in the eventual establishment of the National Health Service. She lay down many of the priorities adopted by today's early-years movement, which recognises the first three years of a child's life as crucial for its development.

'Mary Lily Walker is Dundee's forgotten heroine but this year, on the centenary of her death, there is a movement to spread awareness of her work and celebrate her legacy,' said Eddie. 'In this talk, I will be looking at how she collected the evidence that brought about much needed improvements in the treatment and conditions of mothers, babies and toddlers.

'Her energy and achievements, against so many odds, were amazing yet her natural modesty allowed her to slip from mind. I resolved to do all I could do reverse this and to make people aware of this remarkable woman and the way she went about changing people's lives.'

Dundee Arts Cafe is a programme of talks showcasing arts research and developments taking place locally. The series is organised by the Universities of Dundee and Abertay, and Dundee City Council's Leisure & Culture department.

These events enable members of the public to relax and discuss the arts, from English to History, Philosophy to Architecture, and Fine Art to Product Design, with some of the leading names carrying out work in these areas in Dundee.

The events last one hour, and speakers talk passionately about their work for 30 minutes before the floor is opened up to an informal discussion with the audience. All talks take place in The McManus Cafe, Albert Square, Dundee. 'Mary Lily Walker - From Science to Society' takes place at 6pm on Tuesday, 5th November. This event is free, and open to all. Limited seating means visitors are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

For more information about the event and Dundee Arts Cafe please visit www.DundeeArtsCafe.co.uk.

Notes to editors:

Dundee Science Festival, which runs from Saturday 2nd until Sunday 17th November 2013, is a celebration of science within Dundee and surrounding areas, providing fun, entertainment, inspiration and curiosity for all ages. Last year, over 14,000 people took part, with visitors enjoying events throughout Dundee, Angus, Perthshire, Fife and beyond.

Dundee Science Festival is supported by the Scottish Government, University of Dundee, Dundee City Council and EventScotland. Other supporters include Medical Research Council, Skills Development Scotland, Edina Trust and The Gannochy Trust.

For more information on Dundee Science Festival, and to book events, visit www.dundeesciencefestival.org.

Alternatively, you can contact the Dundee Science Festival team via email dundeesciencefestival@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk or telephone 01382 228800.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277