First-wave feminism in Australia was particularly focused on gaining the vote for women. This occurred much earlier than the suffrage movement in Britain of the early twentieth century. Middle class Christian women in Australia played a significant role in gaining the vote. Indeed, without their support the enfranchisement of women may have taken much longer. Why did these women who supported the “vote” feel this was necessary? However, not all Christian women supported the campaign. Why was this? The talk investigates these questions and looks at some of the writings, political cartoons and posters from the period.
Level: Popular academic.
