The contributions of Welsh women can be seen through figures such as Winifred Coombe
Tennant and her direct involvement in the League, or through the women in local
communities and their involvement in local League of Nations Union events. Women’s
contributions to the discussion of international peace allowed them greater entrance into
the public sphere and allowed the development of many new female contributions to the
field of international relations.
The League of Nations activity reflected a shift in the understanding of nationhood
that had developed in the postwar years. The idea of ‘enlightened patriotism’, which took
an individual’s love for their country and applied it to wider international dipl omacy, grew
popular. Britain, and more specifically Wales, had developed a sense of belonging to this
imagined international community after the Leagues presence within civic traditions. The
way in which these activities crossed the political spectrum made it an inclusive body which
grew to become a representation of national identity. 11 The Welsh had what was described
as the most ‘league themed’ society in all of Europe, and easily held the most popular
support. The Welsh population strove for their nation to play a central role in international
affairs. 12 The establishment of the League of Nations Union in 1920, with the funding of
David Davies, had shown the importance of peace to the Welsh people as by 1923 the
Welsh League of Nations Union had 20,000 members and 400 branches. 13 This attracted
many women as it was their first opportunity to be able to campaign for peace. One clear
example of this is the Welsh Women’s peace petition of 1923, which has been considered as
11 Helen McCarthy, ‘The League of Nations, Public Ritual and National Identity in Britain 1919 - 56’, History Workshop Journal , 70 (2010), 108-132 (pp. 110-111). 12 Rob Laker, ‘The 1935 Peace Ballot in Wales’ on Welsh Centre for International Affairs (2020) <The 1935 Peace Ballot in Wales - Welsh Centre for International Affairs (wcia.org.uk)> [accessed on 12/11/2023]. 13 Aled Eurig, ‘The Aftermath of the Great War in Wales and the Search for Lasting Peace’ in The Appeal, ed. by Jenny Mathers and Mererid Hopwood (Talybont: Y Lolfa, 2023), p. 48.
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