As communities and volunteers have been transcribing the 390,296 signatories from the 1923 Welsh Women’s Peace Petition to America, many have been identifying and uncovering the stories behind this generation of women who stood against war. Who were they – and what messages might they have for us 100 years later.

‘Hidden Histories’ project led by the WCIA invited people across Wales to uncover and share ‘peace stories’ behind the 390,296 women who signed the Peace Petition – not just ‘the great and the good’, but the thousands of ordinary women across Wales moved in the aftermath of World War One to petition for peace.

This story and supporting material were contributed by Louise Burston, that explored the history of  her great grandmother, Ann Nora Jenkins O.B.E.

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Ann Nora Jenkins O.B.E. (Aberdare District)  

My great grandmother, Ann Nora Jenkins O.B.E (b.1863) was instrumental in collecting 10,000 signatures in Aberdare. She also organised a Ladies' Relief Committee and the Women's League of Soldiers' Mothers and Wives, organising a fund that equipped eight cottages at Llwydcoed occupied by Belgian Refugees. Other war activities included membership of the local War Pensions Committee and the presidency of the Women's Section of the British Legion.  

My great grandmother was born in Hirwaun and lived at Station Place, Trecynon, as her husband William Jenkins was the station master for Trecynon for 50 years.  

She was Councillor of Aberdare Town Ward from 1915 to 1933 (elections were suspended from 1915-19 due to WW1).