Celebrate International Women's Day by joining us for the second in a series of virtual events and talks hosted by Victoria Baths:

First in the Fight: Sunny Lowry and the Radical Women of Manchester

By Helen Antrobus, Curator and Historian. Helen is co-author of the book "First in the Fight: Twenty Women who Made Manchester" (2019, iNostalgia). 

Helen's book celebrates the lives of 20 radical women of Manchester who championed issues such equality, education and women’s rights and who all created legacies that live on today.

Sunny Lowry’s story is such a prominent part of Victoria Bath’s history, the pioneering long distance swimmer having started her career training in the Females Pool at the Baths. Sunny was the fifth British women ever to swim the Channel, completing the swim on her third attempt in August 1933. In 2005, at the age of 94, Sunny was awarded the MBE for services to swimming in the North West. 

A beautiful stained glass window remembers Sunny's achievements and her passion for saving the building when its future was threatened.

We're also very fortunate to have on display (when we're open!) Sunny's two-piece swimming costume and the flag she embroidered herself for her Channel swims, featuring the Manchester bees emblem. Grateful thanks to Dover Museum for the loan of these items. 

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