Lady Simon of Wythenshawe (née Potter) read Economics at Newnham College 1904-07, and pursued postgraduate studies at the London School of Economics 1907-11. She was secretary of the National Council of Women Committee and safeguarded women's rights under Lloyd George's Insurance Bill 1910-11. In 1912 she married Ernest Darwin Simon and had two sons. She became Lady Mayoress of Manchester in 1921and was a member of Manchester City Council 1924-39. Lady Simon sat on numerous committees (Licensing, Housing), and was the first woman to hold the office of Chairman of Education Committee 1932-33 becoming actively involved in the Spens Report from that date. In 1935 she changed her political allegiance and became a member of the Labour Party. She was prominent in proposing free secondary education, proposals which were refused in 1939 but taken up by RA Butler in 1944. Lady Simon spent seven years as chairman of the Further Education Sub-Committee. She became an Honorary Freeman of Manchester in 1964.