Gladys Bunn’s life proved able women in every generation could overcome prejudice if they worked hard enough.  Gladys was a classic co-operative committee woman - encouraged by her mother who was an active member of the Co-operative Women’s Guild, she served her apprenticeship in its youth organisations as a member of the Children’s Circle and a founder member of the British Federation of Young Co-operators in 1937.

Gladys was born in 1921 into a poor but proud family.  As a young teenager she was very content to stay at her home with her parents, knitting.  And then one day her father became worried about this and took her to the local Co-operative Youth centre - from then on there was no stopping her.  She quickly became absorbed in all that the Movement had to offer and in particular the Co-operative Principles that they expounded.  She became a member of the Co-op Youth Parliament and quickly learned the essence of debating and how meetings should be run correctly.

She worked for the Co-operative and, after a few years, she met her husband at a Co-op Youth conference, meaning her life was surrounded by Co-operative ethics.  She was a people person.  She had a very outgoing personality and was quick to grasp any opportunities offered to her.

After marriage and the birth of her daughter, whilst her husband was working in Guildford for the Co-operative as a department manager, the other managers, recognizing her ability, asked if she would stand for the board of the local Co-op Society.  She ran an inspiring campaign and was elected to the Southern Section. After the family moved to a different Co-op Society area, she was quickly elected onto that board too. She eventually became chair, whilst also being on the board of the Co-op Education committee and a member of the national executive of the Co-operative Union (now Co-operatives UK).

While all this was going on she was a mother, wife, magistrate, established her own estate agency, worked in a voluntary capacity for several local charities and ultimately was asked to join the board of a newly formed housing association which took over the administration of local housing. She later became a board member of CDS Co-operatives, the largest secondary housing co-operative in the UK.

Gladys also served on the board of the International Co-operative Alliance; the only non-governmental organisation working with both the USSR and USA throughout the cold war.  She was also an elected member of the national executive of the Co-operative Party.

Gladys was also very proud to be only the fourth woman Co-operative Congress president in history when she was honoured at Blackpool in 1984.  She said at the time: "I am highly honoured by this rare distinction, which is the culmination of a lifetime's involvement with the Co-operative Movement. Its social aspirations have been the guiding philosophy of my life."

She never believed in holding grudges.  She could be at odds with others but always endeavoured to be on cordial terms with them. She held her principles very dear and fought to defend them.  She had bucket loads of common sense and was always ready to lend a hand when she could.

She was always aware of her lack of secondary education but was grateful to the Co-op Movement for “giving her the chance to flourish.”  She died in 2004, but continued talking and performing co-operatively to the end.  She left an imprint for dedication and commitment, but, above all else an uplifting view of her fellow men and women.  She is sadly missed by all.