Marguerite Finn

In 2005, Marguerite Finn attended one of the first ‘Connect’ days that WILPF UK organised, and soon after joining WILPF she threw herself into activism. Using her background and contacts in the Norwich United Nations Association (UNA), Marguerite soon established a WILPF Branch in the city.

The Norwich WILPF Branch was active from the start, and had recruited 20 members by 2006. For many years Marguerite organised the WILPF stall at the annual Peace Camp at the Norwich Forum, a very welcoming central, indoor public space and event. Marguerite organised WILPF meetings at the Norwich Friends Meeting House, which often welcomed leading WILPF speakers including Marie-Claire Faray and Marie Louise Pambu.

Norwich WILPF had a good relationship with the University of East Anglia in Norwich, and postgraduate students from the School of Development Studies spoke at a WILPF event for International Women’s Day. Funds were raised, including by holding a bric-a-brac stall in Norwich open market and another at the garden party hosted by the Bishop of Norwich.

With her partner, Peter, Marguerite regularly attended the Burston Strike School annual rally which commemorates the school set up in that village by the sacked teachers Annie and Tom Higdon back in the 1920s. She was a good writer and regularly contributed a variety of pieces for the Eastern Daily Press, emphasising peace and development issues. She also contributed to WILPF publications.

For many years Marguerite edited the national UNA newsletter, as well as taking a leading role in the Norwich United Nations Association. She organised the monthly UNA Lunch Box, attracting speakers, including from WILPF, to address the well-attended events at Friends Meeting House in Central Norwich.

For 25 years Marguerite was a well-appreciated employee of HMSO in Norwich. In semi-retirement she edited the in-house magazine of EAGIT, a Norwich-based engineering and industrial training centre.

Sadly, Marguerite was plagued by a variety of health problems which curtailed her activities in later years. We remember Marguerite Finn with love as an energetic and talented WILPF advocate and peace campaigner.