History
Elizabeth Fry was a trailblazing woman who used her privilege and influence to better the lives of women and girls in need. Her legacy continues to be the undercurrent of E FRY’s mission, which is to empower at-risk girls in their youth and women at a higher risk of experiencing violence, exploitation, poverty, and incarceration to ensure that no woman or girl is left behind.
Born into a wealthy Quaker family in Norwich, England, Elizabeth defied expectations by studying subjects typically reserved for men. After marrying Joseph Fry, a wealthy tea, coffee, and spice merchant, Elizabeth settled into motherhood and gave birth to 11 children. But her life dramatically turned in 1812 when a family friend brought her to Newgate prison, where she witnessed the inhumane treatment of women prisoners.
Shocked by what she saw, Elizabeth returned the next day with food and clothing and spent hours comforting the ill. Despite setbacks caused by financial difficulties within the Fry family, Elizabeth remained determined. In 1816, she established a prison school for parents and their children, and in 1817, she co-founded the Association for the Reformation of Female Prisoners in Newgate, which became the British Ladies’ Society for Promoting the Reformation of Female Prisoners, widely described as Britain’s first nationwide women’s organization.
Her compassion extended beyond prisoners. She set up District Visiting Societies to help people experiencing poverty, libraries for coastguards, and a nursing training school. When a small boy was found frozen to death near her home, she set up a Lady’s Committee to offer aid to homeless women and children.
Through her tireless efforts, Elizabeth made significant changes in treating women prisoners and ensuring incarcerated women and girls were treated with dignity. She arranged for female convicts sentenced to transportation to be taken in closed carriages to protect them from being violently attacked by crowds. Her work paved the way for better conditions for women and helped raise awareness of the issue of violence against women.
E FRY Hope and Help for Women (E FRY) advocates for and uplifts women and girls at a higher risk of experiencing violence, poverty, and incarceration. We have over 50 full-time staff members and a number of contract staff, in addition to our incredible team of dedicated volunteers.
We are here to help women and youth who are, or maybe at risk of, coming into conflict with the law. We provide a number of services and programs developed especially for women and youth to proactively prevent crime, lower repeat offence rates and successfully integrate people back into the community.
You can choose to give on a regular basis or as a one-off payment. Every dollar goes a long way for us. The link at the top of the page, or on the next page will take you to a secure site where you can donate confidentially knowing your contribution will go directly to the Peel-Halton community.
