Jenny Coutts
{{short description|Scottish politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jenny Coutts
| image = JennyCoutts.png
| caption = The inclusion of this photograph adds significantly to the article because the photo and its historical significance are the object of discussion in the article. Image from [https://www.edlc.co.uk/heritage-arts/local-history/local-heroes]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1909|11|18|df=y}}
| birth_place = Carnwath, Scotland
| death_date = {{death date and age|2008|3|18|1909|11|18|df=y}}
| death_place = Kirkintilloch, Scotland
| nationality = Scottish
| occupation = Politician
| known_for = Local Politics
}}
Jenny Coutts (née Janet Maxwell Barclay) was the first female provost of Kirkintilloch.{{cite news |title=Jenny Coutts |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12462048.jenny-coutts/ |work=Glasgow Herald |date=25 April 2008}}{{cite news |title=Farewell to our first lady provost |work=Kirkintilloch Herald |date=26 March 2008}}
Early life and education
Janet Maxwell Barclay was both in Carnwath, Lanarkshire in 1909, the daughter of Gavin and Janet Barclay. She attended Lanark Grammar School, and later became a secretary, working in offices in Bath Street, Glasgow. She met her husband, Willie Coutts at the International Club. The couple and their two sons moved to Lenzie in 1949, where she became involved in local politics.{{cite web |title=Local Heroes EDLC |url=https://www.edlc.co.uk/heritage-arts/local-history/local-heroes |access-date=14 February 2020}} Both Jenny and her husband were pacifists during World War II.
Political career
She became an independent councillor for the area in 1958, by a majority of five votes.{{cite news |title=Town's first woman councillor |work=Bulletin |date=5 February 1958}} By 1964, she was provost of Kirkintilloch.{{Cite news|title=First woman provost|date=13 May 1964|work=Kirkintilloch Herald}} in 1973, she was awarded an MBE for her services to social work. As a magistrate, she was known for her liberal approach to crime and punishment and was in favour of abstinence from alcohol.{{Cite news|last=Steel|first=Andy|title=Local magistrate on crime and punishment|date=26 July 1972|work=Kirkintilloch Herald}} She believed that party politics had no place in local councils.
References
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Category:People educated at Lanark Grammar School
Category:Women provosts in Scotland
Category:Councillors in East Dunbartonshire
Category:Women councillors in Scotland