women's self help society

The Women’s Self-Help Society was founded in Kingston in 1879. It was an initiative of Lady Musgrave, the Governor’s wife and other society ladies seeking to help provide employment for poorer women. Bishop Enos Nuttall formally opened it on November 1, 1879 as a school and work repository, where interested shoppers could purchase handmade or handsewn items.

Original premises on Church Street were destroyed in the devastating 1907 earthquake, and the Sales Rooms relocated to the corner of Harbour and Duke Streets. A newspaper story of 1935 termed it a ‘delightful oasis for shoppers’, with its range of Jamaican craft items: baskets, jippijappa hats, drawn-thread work, embroidery and other sewn items as well as preserves, chutneys and pickles. By the 1930s, women were also contracted to sew garments for use in Jamaican government hospitals.

FANNY BURKE

Ms Fanny Burke was an early supporter of the Women’s Self-Help Society established in 1879. Born in Kingston in March 1837 to a large family, she was closest to her brother Samuel Constantine Burke, a legal professional who became Custos of Kingston, Assistant Attorney General and a member of the Legislative Council. Ms Fanny’s own inclination was to philanthropy and especially assisting young women who had gotten into trouble. She developed strong networks that included Archbishop Enos Nuttall, head of the Anglican Church in Jamaica and the region. In addition to serving 52 years as Honorary Secretary and a frequent judge for the Society, Ms Fanny negotiated and for many years ensured the efficient operation of a contract through which elderly women made garments for government hospitals. She also collaborated with the Archbishop in the establishment and early running of Deaconess House on Hanover Street – a newly created order to assist with educational, nursing and other programmes.