Mary Lily Walker

Meet Mary Lily Walker.  This is the only known image of her, dressed in the habit of the Grey Ladies, which she always wore in public, from 1898 until her death in 1913.  If you know of any other image of Mary Lily, send it to us!  You will be feted for months to come!

Street scenes

When Mary Lily Walker began to develop her strong interest in social work, starting in the mid-1880s, the situation for many children and families in Dundee was dire.  Many children arrived at school barefoot and with no warm clothes.  This is a typical scene from the time.

Poster for our events in June

This poster gives you the key information for our June events.

Feel free to print and hang in a public place!

Not just history: Nurturing today's Early Years Movement

Our celebration of Mary Lily Walker's life is intended to be more than a historical occasion.  We want to remember all she did, but we also want to look anew at the lessons she taught us.  

Scotland is at the centre of a burgeoning Early Years Movement, with all sorts of sectors engaged, including the police, education, social work, economists, business, and politicians.  Mary Lily Walker was essentially one of the city's, and one of Scotland's, first Early Years champions.  Reflecting on her efforts 100 years ago and more gives us an innovative lens through which to reflect in new ways on the challenges that face us today.  

That's why we'll be holding a day-long early years conference, with some of the UK's most inspiring speakers.  Everyone will be welcome, from parents to professionals to local and national politicians. Dundee in Mary Lily Walker's day faced some tremendous challenges, and she devised some tremendous solutions.  Its likely she still has things to teach us.

*UPDATE* Registration is now available for the conference - tickets are £80/£50 for students, with a free copy of Eddie Small's new book Mary Lily Walker: Forgotten Visionary of Dundee. 

You can book your place using the below link:

Book Tickets

If you want to learn more about what's happening in the Early Years Movement in Scotland, here are some useful links to get you started:

http://www.suzannezeedyk.com

http://www.actiononviolence.co.uk

http://www.parentingacrossscotland.org/news--events/latest-news/parenting-across-scotland-conference-2012.aspx

http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/earlyyears/index.asp

http://playtalkread.org

http://www.centreforconfidence.co.uk/projects.php?p=cGlkPTYxJmlkPTQ0OQ==

http://www.holyrood.com/2010/06/accentuate-the-positive/