In January 1963, the Reverend Mary Webster wrote letter to The Times concerning the difficulties that confronted single women facing the complex task of earning the family living and caring for the home, the sick and the elderly.

Her letters to newspapers, journals, MPs and peers drew attention to the isolation and financial hardship that women carers were suffering, and generated a huge response from hundreds of women in similar situations.

[2] As a result of Webster's efforts, the National Council for the Single Woman and her Dependants was formed in 1965.

Due to her intervention, a meeting was held in the Grand Committee Room of the House of Commons.

Following a test case brought to the European Court on behalf of Jackie Drake, in June 1986 the government was forced to capitulate.