NSS celebrates life of former president Barbara Smoker

The National Secular Society joined last week with family and friends of its former president to memorialise what would have been her 100^th birthday.

Barbara Smoker was one of the longest-serving presidents of the National Secular Society (1972 – 1996) and was an uncompromising advocate for freedom of expression, women's and LGBT rights, and assisted dying reform. She died in 2020 at the age of 96.

Family, friends and colleagues gave speeches remembering Barbara and an extraordinary life well-lived. The memorial at Conway Hall on Friday was well attended despite rail strikes and a large contingent of the Smoker family were able to join.

As a young woman, Barbara was a devout Catholic. At school she was known as 'the saint' and her head teacher complained she should pray less and study more. Although Barbara described herself as 'unencumbered by a university education', she independently studied theology and subsequently became an avowed atheist.

As a member of the Wrens during World War II, Barbara overruled orders from her superiors and informed the British navy that Japan had surrendered (prior to signing a formal treaty) in order to prevent further loss of life.

Barbara's intellectual and, indeed, physical courage were remarked upon repeatedly: Amidst the furore of The Satanic Verses, Barbara risked her own personal safety to demonstrate in defence of Salman Rushdie and freedom of expression. She was mugged several times on the way to the Bromley Humanists group but was never cowed and continued to attend evening meetings.

Outside of the NSS, Barbara chaired the Voluntary Euthanasia Society, now known as Dignity in Dying, and served as the vice president of the Shaw Society.

In a public trial surrounding George Bernard Shaw's will, Barbara attended in the public gallery and was dissatisfied with the legal arguments forwarded by the QC. She passed a note down to him making her feelings known and he invited her to join him at his desk. The judge congratulated her on her legal expertise and asked where she had acquired it. "Lewisham library", she answered.

Barbara was indefatigable: At 95 years old, she edited 150 pages of her autobiography in one 14-hour straight session.

A portrait of Barbara by her nephew Mark Smoker was also presented to the NSS (pictured).

Keith Porteous Wood: Barbara Smoker "very much ahead of her time"

Current NSS president Keith Porteous Wood, who spoke at the event, said: "I am delighted that so many of Barbara's family and friends joined us for her memorial.

"It was wonderful to hear so many anecdotes, many amusing, many inspiring, about Barbara's life.

"Perhaps the most astute observation was that she had been very much ahead of her time and that many of the causes for which she fought are now taken for granted."

You can watch a recording of the memorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC7gMDf4Nyo
(With thanks to Mark Coleman)

Image: Courtesy of Anthony Costello