Sheila Rosemary Rivers Wright (22 March 1925 – 5 July 2013) was an Indian-born British Labour Party politician.

Sheila Wright
Member of Parliament
for Birmingham Handsworth
In office
3 May 1979 – 13 May 1983
Preceded byJohn Lee
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
Personal details
Born
Sheila Rosemary Rivers Wright

(1925-03-22)22 March 1925
Cawnpore, India
Died5 July 2013(2013-07-05) (aged 88)
Political partyLabour
Alma materUniversity of Southampton, University of London

Early life

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Shelia Wright was born in March 1925 in Cawnpore, India, where she was also raised.[1] Her father was an inspector general of police until his death when Sheila was 12 years old.[citation needed] She was subsequently raised by her mother, who also managed a sick animal sanctuary. Initially taught by her nanny and governesses until age 11, she then taught herself politics, philosophy and history.[citation needed]

She left India just after the Second World War in Europe and ended and lived in Southampton. She gained a social science certificate from the University of Southampton in 1951 and a sociology degree from the University of London in 1956.[1]

Personal life

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She married and, although her name changed to Gregory, she retained her maiden name in politics.[citation needed]

Career

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Wright became a social worker and served as a councillor on Birmingham City Council 1956–79, becoming an honorary alderman. As chair of the Birmingham Education Committee, she oversaw the introduction of the comprehensive education system.[1]

Wright was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Birmingham Handsworth at the 1979 general election. She served until 1983, when boundary changes abolished the seat and although she had been selected for the Birmingham Ladywood seat, she gave up the nomination due to family matters.[citation needed] She continued to perform voluntary work for the Birmingham central health authority and on numerous school governing bodies throughout Birmingham.[citation needed]

Death

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Wright died in July 2013 at the age of 88 after a long illness.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Sheila Wright and Helen McElhone". UK Vote 100: Looking forward to the centenary of Equal Franchise in 2028 in the UK Parliament. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Sheila Rivers-Gregory: obituary". Birmingham Mail. Trinity Mirror. 25 July 2013.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Birmingham Handsworth
19791983
Constituency abolished