Dame Sara Elizabeth BarkerDBE (15 February 1904 – 19 September 1973) was aBritish political administrator, prominent in theLabour Party.
Born in theWest Riding of Yorkshire, Barker's father was anIndependent Labour Party activist and served a term as Mayor ofHalifax. Barker studied atHalifax Technical College, and with theWorkers Educational Association, and became active in the Labour Party. At the age of sixteen, she became the women's officer for the local branch of the party.[1]
In 1935, Barker was appointed as secretary and agent for the Halifax branch of the Labour Party, and she gradually rose to prominence, becoming the party's Yorkshire women's officer in 1942, assistant national agent in 1951, and Chief Women's Officer in 1960. In 1962, she became National Agent for the party, the first women to hold this post.[1]
In 1968, she served asActing General Secretary, following the resignation ofLen Williams, and untilHarry Nicholas was appointed.[2]
She retired from her posts in 1969, and was made aDame Commander of the Order of the British Empire the following year.[1]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Labour Party Assistant National Agent 1951–1960 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Labour Party Chief Women's Officer 1960–1962 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Labour Party National Agent 1962–1969 | Succeeded by |