Mabel Lucy Matthews

She gave the company presentations and talks on the specialist equipment on coalmining drills and welding.

Matthews presented the idea to the Institute of Electrical Engineers in her associate requirement paper, but they turned the proposal down, as did the Electrical Development Association, (formed in 1919[6]) stating that they felt the time was not ripe for such an organisation.

[7] Matthews next approached Caroline Haslett, Secretary of the Women's Engineering Society (WES).

[7] A meeting was set up for 12 November 1924, at the London home of Lady Parsons, with attendees made up of leading figures in the world of engineering and women's organisations, including Sir Charles Parsons, Lord Headley, Sir Alfred Yarrow, Mr. F. S. Button, Mr J. Beauchamp (Director of EDA), Mr B. Llewelyn Atkinson (Cable Makers Association), Margaret Partridge (WES member, electrical engineer and company director), Miss T. J. Dillon and Miss Hilda Shaw from the world of domestic science, Miss B. J. Lanfear of the Incorporated Municipal Electrical Association, with representatives from the Girl Guides, the Women's Co-operative Guild, the Garden Cities and Town Planning Association, the Headmistresses’ Association; the National Union of Women Teachers, the National Council of Women and the National Women Citizens’ Association.

[7]What was termed "a lively discussion" followed Matthew's speech and the meeting ended with a resolution, proposed by Margaret Partridge and agreed unanimously "…to form a Women’s Electrical Association" and wishing "to put on record its thanks to Mrs Matthews".

The name was soon changed to the Electrical Association for Women (EAW) in early 1925 to avoid confusion with the acronym of the Workers’ Educational Association Matthews was also a vice president of the EAW,[9] which finally closed up in 1986, once the objectives were met.

[2][11][3][4][12][13][14][15][16][17] A blue plaque was unveiled in Wakefield in November 2024 to honour Matthews, coinciding with the centenary of the foundation of the Electrical Association for Women.