Census figures from 1981 showed women were most likely to work in the lowest-paid, least responsible jobs. Sexism and racism meant unequal pay and often menial work, as well as hurdles to access the professions and to promotion, even with the required qualifications or training. Black mothers joined this employment landscape out of economic necessity. Some women the sole provider, others needing to supplement a partner’s income, work for Black mothers was vital to support themselves and their children. Unemployment was represented and handled as a problem of men, but was a difficult circumstance endured by many mothers due to the lack of family-friendly working hours and childcare.
[Image: Action on Low Pay, from the GLC London Women’s Handbook, DADZIE/6/2/3]
Childcare provision appeared to be a low priority for councils; few council-run nurseries existed and often operated strict qualifying criteria. A talk at a conference of the Organisation for Women of Asian and African Descent described the dilemma: “…we have to make whatever arrangements we can for the care of our children. This means leaving them with child-minders who are often desperately in need of money, but who are forced to stay at home. These women care for our children in their own homes, which are often over-crowded and without the necessary stimuli that young children need.” Other ways Black women chose to solve this bind included night work, and for some, informal fostering arrangements. Documents in the archive suggest ameliorative action was typically led by mothers themselves; from tenants’ associations that established community nurseries on estates, to the women’s groups that created creches and playgroups, to the community organisations that established after-school and holidays clubs.
[Image: ‘Care Mother, article on ‘Angell’ Brixton based child minding scheme, 1977, RC/PC/13/01/E]