A petition signed by 77 , 000 persons , demanding a legal right for women to share in the family income , and proper recognition of the services of the housewife , was handed in to Dr Edith Summerskill , Labnour MP for West Fulham , London , who presented it to the Bar of the House of Commons . Photo Shows ; Dr Edith Summerskill and Mrs Forbes , of the Married Women ' s Association at the House of Commons with the petition . 2 November 1944