The London Women’s History Project began in 1999 under the leadership of former Mayor, Jane Bigelow, and Educator, Jean Hewitt. Their mission was to collect and archive the records of the groups and individuals who were influential in changing the lives of women in London during the era of the Women’s Liberation Movement in Canada (1960-1985). During this time, women fought to get a Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada. This 1970 report contained 175 recommendations and gave momentum to the second wave of women’s emancipation.
The City of London had a particularly active group of women in the 60’s and 70’s. They accomplished a great deal within the community and there was a fear of losing the records, posters, tapes, etc. from this period, which led to the work of the Project Committee. When the archival work was completed in 2012, the LWHP moved into a second phase, one of public education and a greater interface with young women in the hope that they would be inspired to lead.