Women and ‘The Gift’

Women and “The Gift” turned out to be an event that resonated with all those attending in surprising ways. Space was limited so it was an invitation only and held in the Alumni Centre at The London School of Economics – just a few yards from where this image of suffragettes was taken. Many academics sent apologies as it was the first teaching day after Easter, many could not make Monday- others were there only in the form of books on the table.

I was jet lagged and anxious to lead a discussion rather than give a talk. So, everyone pitched in with setting up the room and introducing themselves. Sophy Newton from Cotesbach (www.cotesbacheducationaltrust.org.uk) brought along a display inspired by our conversations there.  She brought samples of books from the archive written by women to share with later generations, birthday books and even layered wallpaper from a bedroom. She talked of community over generations. These ideas, in turn, were picked up by Maria Yiannikkou, who creates and licenses patterns for interior furnishings. She had experienced similar bonds to a community, where giving was ingrained in daily living, through her family’s stories of life in North Cyprus before the division of the island.  May Harris-Prince had just returned from working in Bangla Desh, in part visiting suppliers for Turtle Bags (www.turtle-bags.com ) but also as provisional field research for a doctorate. She recounted the community production of jute textiles – bags and scarves – by groups of just women. Suddenly Sophy explained she had just found a report amongst her sister’s effects on jute production in Bangla Desh written by her sister some thirty years ago. Also in attendance was Sue Ballard, Rachel Storm, the writer (both LSE Alumni) and Edwina Livesey.

The bunting banners gave a summary of the ideas behind the celebration on the pop-up banners around us, and we concentrated on the how later thinkers have developed Mauss’ theory and the role of women today. Rachel Storm picked up on the idea being women being all giving and continuing to volunteer.  Men’s relationships seemed to be considered far more transactional. Yet, the obligation to reciprocate could easily be side stepped, both in the home and even in the pub with friends.

We explored making things and making friends and of using gifts of all kind – cash, found object, crafts or mass-produced items – as just part of building a relationship or community. I am interested in textiles and clothing as a women’s sphere of giving and producing gifts. Edwina wondered if the relationships had changed with the division labour, with more men being involved previously in weaving. Questions about “Art” and “Lesser Arts & Crafts” were touched on along with ideas of “Taste”. Although Penny Sparke could not make the day,  I brought her book “As long as it is Pink” to the table.  The fashion and clothing theme was picked up again in a visit to the LSE Library and Archive. Gillian Murphy showed us Suffragette embroidered buttons and lockets alongside the ribboned medals awarded for being part of the prison hunger strikes. There was clear contrast between military (masculine?) and the more personal and decorative assertions of their backing for the suffragette cause.  Symbols in textiles according to Clare Hunter have protective qualities

“Most widely used is the triangle, one of the most ancient of protective symbols, which represents the pubic site of woman’s fertility, the peaks of a defensive mountain range, or the teeth of a saw or of a dragon. It persists as an agent of defence still apparent in the bunting we use to decorate our local fetes and children’s parities.” (Hunter, 2020 p101)

The Year’s pop-up display of giant bunting had surrounded our discussion table with her text on the table.

We talked of women being given as gift objects in politics and marriage and the giving of blood, organs and reproductive capacity. Some had followed “The Gift” on BBC sounds about the effect of DNA tests and that led us full circle to ideas in anthropology of matrilineal and patrilineal societies. What is passed on – given – between the generations?  This leads us back again to ideas of community building.

We covered a lot of ground in one day. It seemed that many of the negative readings of gift giving seem to be more masculine, in that it is transactional, creates obligations, manipulates, generates waste and bad design. Women seem to give and continue to give. The item given does not have to be the best – it is what it represents that is important.  A daisy from a child is fine but the petrol station flowers from a husband less so. There was difference in age and life experiences in the room. It was argued that younger men are more involved in giving as they are more involved in care of children or are being encouraged to be more open in their emotions? But what is giving is, is also changing how and what we give….at a personal and even international level.

We rounded off the day at discussing definitions. Gift can mean poison in German said to derive from to give a dose of medicine. Le Don in French, does not carry that same connotations and we use that for words like donation. Biblical uses of the term were also raised. Are understandings of “the gift” lost or gained in translation?

Finally next steps. I suggested picking up the women’s viewpoint with a possible Giftware Association event later in the year. The linked to legacy and heritage will be to the fore at Museums and Heritage Exhibition in May. The idea women’s making seemed to be of interest as was sustainability so maybe a craft linked workshop. The format was proposed and could build on these round table discussions at LSE.  If you have a venue or suggestions, please do get in touch.

In summary, it was a day that resonated with all the attended and we certainly did not run out of themes to explore and some of the connections were amazing.

Vicki Thomas, 30th April 2025

Image  Credit

Suffragettes by railings between Clements Inn and Royal Court of Justice (Women’s Library, LSE 7EWD/J/01)