Sheila Wright
Encyclopedia
Sheila Rosemary Rivers Wright (born 22 March 1925) is a British
Labour Party
politician.
Shelia Wright was born and raised in Rajasthan, India. Her father was the head of police until his death when Sheila was 10 years old. She was subsequently raised by her mother who also managed a sick animal sanctuary. Initially taught by her nanny until age 11 she then taught herself politics, philosophy, history and German.
She left India just after the war in Europe ended and lived in Southampton. She gained a social science certificate at the University of Southampton
in 1951 and a sociology
degree from the University of London
in 1956.
She married and although her name changed to Gregory she retained her maiden name in politics.
She became a social worker and served as a councillor on Birmingham City Council
1956-65. Becoming an honorary alderman. As chair of the Birmingham Education Committee she oversaw the introduction of the comprehensive education system.
Wright was elected Member of Parliament
for Birmingham Handsworth
in 1979. She served until 1983, when boundary changes abolished the seat and she gave up the nomination due to family matters.
She continues to perform voluntary work for the Birmingham mental health board and on numerous school governing bodies throughout Birmingham
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
politician.
Shelia Wright was born and raised in Rajasthan, India. Her father was the head of police until his death when Sheila was 10 years old. She was subsequently raised by her mother who also managed a sick animal sanctuary. Initially taught by her nanny until age 11 she then taught herself politics, philosophy, history and German.
She left India just after the war in Europe ended and lived in Southampton. She gained a social science certificate at the University of Southampton
University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed...
in 1951 and a sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
degree from the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
in 1956.
She married and although her name changed to Gregory she retained her maiden name in politics.
She became a social worker and served as a councillor on Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council
The Birmingham City Council is the body responsible for the governance of the City of Birmingham in England, which has been a metropolitan district since 1974. It is the most populated local authority in the United Kingdom with, following a reorganisation of boundaries in June 2004, 120 Birmingham...
1956-65. Becoming an honorary alderman. As chair of the Birmingham Education Committee she oversaw the introduction of the comprehensive education system.
Wright was elected Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Birmingham Handsworth
Birmingham Handsworth (UK Parliament constituency)
Birmingham Handsworth was a parliamentary constituency centred on the Handsworth district of Birmingham. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom...
in 1979. She served until 1983, when boundary changes abolished the seat and she gave up the nomination due to family matters.
She continues to perform voluntary work for the Birmingham mental health board and on numerous school governing bodies throughout Birmingham