Marion Dawson, 111, an esteemed member of Scottish Women’s Institutes’ Houston and Crosslee Institute, made history today as she helped kickstart a major history and heritage project for Scotland’s leading membership organisation.
The supercentenarian, who was born in January 1913, is the oldest known living person in Scotland and has been a member of the SWI for 90 years. To record her memories for future generations, she was interviewed by fellow member Isabel Haddow. Her reminiscences span two world wars and focus on friendships, learning and sharing skills, and competitions.
Marion was the first to be interviewed as part of a major new oral histories project being led by members of the SWI for inclusion in a new Visitor Learning Centre which will celebrate women’s important role in Scottish towns and villages.
The project will bring to light the unheard voices of rural women in Scotland and chart the rise of women’s advocacy and change of role in the past 100 years. The recordings, and SWI’s rich archive revealing women’s lives over more than a century, will then be housed on The Crichton Estate near Dumfries to protect their stories for future generations. This will enable historians, academics, and members of the public to learn from and be inspired by rural women whose voices often go unheard.
When asked about the importance of preserving the SWI’s heritage, Marion confidently said, “It's important, so you can remember it!”
The SWI is now looking for members past and present who may wish to contribute to the oral histories project. Email hello@theswi.org.uk if you would like to be involved.