Minnie Lansbury Memorial Clock

Minnie Lansbury Memorial Clock

The Minnie Lansbury Memorial Clock, situated on Electric House in Bow Road, London, stands as a tribute to a remarkable woman whose life was dedicated to social justice and the welfare of the East End community.

Born in 1889 to a Jewish family in Stepney, Minnie Glassman, later known as Minnie Lansbury, was a teacher and a prominent suffragette. In 1915, she joined the East London Federation of Suffragettes, working alongside notable figures like Sylvia Pankhurst and her future father-in-law, George Lansbury. Her activism extended to the Women's Freedom League, advocating for women's right to vote. In 1914, she married Edgar Lansbury, son of George Lansbury, and in 1919, she was elected as an alderman in Poplar's first Labour-led council. Her tenure was marked by her commitment to the impoverished residents of Poplar. In 1921, she was imprisoned for six weeks for refusing to impose full tax rates on the poor, a stance that led to her contracting pneumonia and her untimely death in January 1922 at the age of 32. (romanroadlondon.com)

The memorial clock was erected in the 1930s on Electric House, Bow Road, to honor Minnie's dedication to the community. In 2008, the clock underwent restoration through a public appeal organized by the Jewish East End Celebration Society and the Heritage of London Trust, with contributions from over £13,000, including a donation from actress Angela Lansbury, Minnie's daughter-in-law. The restored clock, painted green and gold, was unveiled on October 16, 2008, in the presence of Minnie's relatives and local residents. (heritageoflondon.org)

The clock serves as a lasting symbol of Minnie's unwavering commitment to social justice and her profound impact on the East End community. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of those who fight for the rights and welfare of the underprivileged.