Sinners, Scrounger, Saints
Location The Women's Library
Time Ongoing

Sinners, Scroungers, Saints addresses the ways in which lone mothers have been represented over time. Developed in collaboration with One Parent Families|Gingerbread, the exhibition showcases new research and tells the stories of lone mothers from the 1700s to the present day, challenging perceptions and questioning stereotypes. It is supported by a season of events, including an academic symposium on new research into lone parenthood.

The exhibition explores the many reasons why women become lone parents, from relationship breakdown to forced separation and widowhood, or, although rare, the independent choice to ‘go it alone’. From First World War widows to families divided by asylum and exile, from the fictional characters represented in 1960s’ novels and films such as A Taste of Honey to the‘Vicky Pollard’ stereotype of teenage mothers, the exhibition contains archive material as well as personal testimonies that tell a rich and wide range of stories.

Sinners, Scroungers, Saints: lone mothers, past and present will feature at The Women's Library, London Metropolitan University, Old Castle Street, London E1 7NT from 17 October 2007 – 29 March 2008. Exhibition opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.30am - 5.30pm (late night opening Thursday 8pm), Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm, Sunday closed. For further information visit www.thewomenslibrary.ac.uk.