County Alderman Mrs. Jessie Smith Chairman of West Riding County Council 1964-67
Jessie Smith
The Woman Little is known about Jessie Smith apart from the fact she lived in Marsden, a village in Kirklees, West Yorkshire. She was elected onto the West Riding County Council (WRCC) in 1937. Jessie was also appointed as a County Alderman on the WRCC (The county council consisted of elected councillors and co-opted county aldermen. The entire body of county councillors was elected every three years. Aldermen were additional members, there being a ratio of one alderman to three councillors. Aldermen had a six-year term of office and one half of their number were elected by the councillors immediately after the triennial elections. This was the same in all county councils at this time, as defined by the Local Government Act 1888.) and became its first female Chairman 1964-67.
Jessie was a Labour Party member and represented Colne Valley No 2 Ward. It is recorded that in 1952, she won the seat with 3412 votes against her Conservative rival with 2195.
She was the longest serving member of the WRCC Education Committee and when WRCC ceased to exist following the 1974 local government reorganisation, Jessie served on the successor authority Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council also becoming Chairman of the Education Committee. Additionally, she was
vice-chairman of the West Yorkshire Arts Association for which she had a passion
Jessie lost her seat after 41 years’ service and 10 election wins at the 1978 elections, gaining only 844 votes against the Conservative candidate with 1221 - such being the nature of politics.
Jessie was a Labour Party member and represented Colne Valley No 2 Ward. It is recorded that in 1952, she won the seat with 3412 votes against her Conservative rival with 2195.
She was the longest serving member of the WRCC Education Committee and when WRCC ceased to exist following the 1974 local government reorganisation, Jessie served on the successor authority Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council also becoming Chairman of the Education Committee. Additionally, she was
vice-chairman of the West Yorkshire Arts Association for which she had a passion
Jessie lost her seat after 41 years’ service and 10 election wins at the 1978 elections, gaining only 844 votes against the Conservative candidate with 1221 - such being the nature of politics.
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Past Chairman of West Riding County Council Jewel
The Story The Past Chairman’s Jewel awarded to Jessie Smith was acquired from a stallholder at the Newark Antique Fair on 6th June 2025. It was seen on an outside stall in a glass cabinet and the fact it was a piece of civic regalia obvious, thus arousing interest.
The dealer wanted a very reasonable price for the jewel and his hand was literally ‘snapped off’! Later the same morning during a coffee break, Jessie’s details were googled, finding by coincidence an original page from a magazine in which she was interviewed and showing a good quality photograph of her, available as a buy it now on E-Bay – which was purchased straight away.
The magazine article gave some biographical details of Jessie, as did Google, but because of her quite common name nothing could be definitively confirmed on Ancestry.
It is a pity that as a pioneer for women, being noted as the first female Chairman of West Riding County Council, there is not more available to tell of Jessie; there is clearly much more waiting to be unearthed!
Nevertheless, once again a piece of civic history has been rescued from oblivion and more importantly, Jessie remembered in a small way, for her 41 years’ service to the residents of West Riding.
The dealer wanted a very reasonable price for the jewel and his hand was literally ‘snapped off’! Later the same morning during a coffee break, Jessie’s details were googled, finding by coincidence an original page from a magazine in which she was interviewed and showing a good quality photograph of her, available as a buy it now on E-Bay – which was purchased straight away.
The magazine article gave some biographical details of Jessie, as did Google, but because of her quite common name nothing could be definitively confirmed on Ancestry.
It is a pity that as a pioneer for women, being noted as the first female Chairman of West Riding County Council, there is not more available to tell of Jessie; there is clearly much more waiting to be unearthed!
Nevertheless, once again a piece of civic history has been rescued from oblivion and more importantly, Jessie remembered in a small way, for her 41 years’ service to the residents of West Riding.
Unknown Magazine
Medal Details:
- Past Chairman's Jewel: COUNTY ALDERMAN MRS. JESSIE SMITH. 1964-67.
This page last updated 15 Jun 25
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