Women had been elected to separate boards dealing with the Poor Law and the Elementary Education Act 1870 and were entitled to serve on the new urban and rural district councils from 1894. Women had lost their influence on education boards when the free-standing boards were absorbed into the newly established councils.
From 1870, women played a significant part in separate boards managing the Poor Law and Elementary Education Act, and later gained representation on urban and rural district councils starting from 1894. Nevertheless, they lost their influence over education boards when these standalone boards were absorbed into the new councils.