The National Council of Women is this year celebrating its 50th anniversary.  It was in February, 1964 that a group of six women met in the sitting room of the living quarters of the matron at St Luke’s Hospital to listen to Mrs Nora Dean, President of the National Council of Women of Great Britain. 

Nora explained the good work women in certain parts of the world were doing for themselves and for their countries, at the same time she expressed her frustration that in Malta there was a lack of women leaders in society. The ladies present felt that it was a golden opportunity to do something immediately about this, more so since Malta was then on the verge of attaining Independence. They agreed to form themselves into a steering committee and made a public invitation to a meeting which took place on 13 February, 1964 at The Palace, Valletta under the auspices of Lady Dorman, wife of the Governor, Sir Maurice Dorman.  Little did they know that they were making history.  The National Council of Women was formed, and they never looked back.

To commemorate its golden anniversary, the National Council of Women engaged Caroline Tonna and Maria Cassar to organize a photographic exhibition portraying female progress and development in Malta since the beginning of the 20th century.  The organizers acquired photos, from museums, archives, foundations, public bodies, commercial undertakings and individual collections - some of the exhibits reproduce photos that are rare or of historic significance. These photos capture the widest possible spectrum of female activity and the focus is on breakthroughs in the various professions and vocations rather than on specific individuals.

A Pictorial Diary of Women in Maltese Society is a ‘photo album’ that takes the visitor to a journey of female activity and achievements across the years, from women tilling land to those becoming President; from women removing war demolition after an air raid to others reaching the highest echelons in the arts and sciences.  Walking along the exhibition, the visitors will be able to browse images of female pioneers in academia and the professions, the first females in the Police force and the Armed Forces of Malta, judges and magistrates, journalists, broadcasters, actresses, musicians, singers and dancers. They will see photos of women who excelled in the arts, sports and the first movers in the local fashion industry… photos of Air Malta female cabin crew and officers, workers in catering and manufacturing as well as women who reached the highest rungs in politics. But there are also photos that may seem less glamorous – of nurses helping the infirm, sisters looking after orphans or working in the missions – but which are equally significant. 

This exciting project was only possible with the cooperation of many people who trusted the organizers with prized photos, the digitizing and reproduction of photos by Austin Tufigno and the main sponsorship of Nexia BT, the independent audit, accounting and consulting firm.