THE Trade Union Congress has announced it is launching the "Mary Macarthur Lecture" in honour of the legendary Cradley Heath campaigner.

The TUC will hold the lecture every year and the subject will always concern the challenges women face in the workplace.

The TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady will give the inaugural Mary Macarthur Lecture on Friday, March 6, in Blackheath.

Rob Johnston, TUC Midlands policy and campaigns officer, said: "Mary Macarthur's achievements are celebrated every year at the Chainmakers Festival in Cradley Heath.

"The Midlands TUC has now established an annual lecture to be given in her name to look at the challenges and opportunities facing women in the world of work today."

He added: "The inaugural lecture will be given by the TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady as part of the Midlands TUC Women at Work initiative."

Former Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Sylvia Heal will be making a return to the constituency to chair the meeting.

The speech is being held at Blackheath Coronation Club, George Avenue, and there will be refreshments available.

Mr Johnston added: "The Midlands TUC have paid for room hire and we will probably do a voluntary contribution on the night to try and cover costs - with any surplus going to the local foodbank.

"I really think this could be a great event and another good addition to the Chainmakers programme."

The 2015 Women Chainmakers' festival will be on Sunday, July 12, and is organised by Midlands TUC at Bearmore Mound Playing Fields, Cradley Heath, and there will be a march along Cradley High Street.

The festival celebrates the achievements of 800 or so women chainmakers who fought to establish a minimum wage for their labour.

The local employers sought to deny them their rights but were met with forceful opposition, led by Mary Macarthur, who founded the National Federation of Women Workers and later stood for Parliament as a Labour candidate.

To reserve a place please email Michelle Kesterton at mkesterton@tuc.org.uk or 0121 236 4454.