Lowe , Eveline Mary , 1869-1956 , nee Farren , teacher and labour activist

Eveline Mary Lowe (1869-1956) (née Farren) was the first woman Chair of the London County Council. She was born and spent most of her life in Bermondsey. She was the daughter of Reverend J Farren, a Congregational minister. She was educated at Milton Mount College, Gravesend and trained as a teacher at Homerton College, where she became a lecturer and then vice-principal. She married Dr George C Lowe in 1903. Eveline was politically active - she was one of the earliest members of the Women's Labour League; a founder member of the Bermondsey International Labour party and of the West Bermondsey Divisional Labour Party (serving as Treasurer from 1919); President of the West Bermondsey Women's Section; member of the London Labour Party Executive (which she represented on the London Women's Advisory Committee from 1918). She was also active in local government, serving on the education committee as London County Council member for Bermondsey from 1922 onwards; Chair of the London Education Committee, 1934; Chair of the Establishments Committee, 1937; and first woman Chair of the London County Council, 1939. She retired from the London County Council in 1946 and died 30 May 1956.