Women Stepping Forth

Some of these photos have been taken by a new acquaintance Nicki Cassimatis who kindly shared them with me. 

At the beautiful and iconic Meigunyah House in Brisbane I listened to speaker after speaker on the subject of "Women Stepping Forth". Stories of amazing women who in the late 1880s to more recent times, have challenged perceived norms and have made women's position in society more assured and equal. They carried out their work with no applaud but acted in ways that have left a lasting legacy on this state. The speakers, all experts in their field, were able to unearth correspondence, records, diaries and newspaper clippings from libraries and private collections which they shared with us all. I will share with you some memorable snippets. 

Lady Lamington's important work for laying- in hospitals and looking after women while she was first lady in Brisbane 1896-1901  - shaking the hand of a person suffering from leprosy after she left here, and went to Bombay in 1903. 

Mary Jones - a woman artist from the UK who arrived in Queensland in 1888 and who organised the first all women's art exhibition in the State and countered every negative review in the papers with her own considered opinion. Fiesty and self possessed. 

Kathleen McArthur, a close friend of Judith Wright. Both born 1915-2000. Between them they fought hard to protect Cooloola Park, instead of letting the area be sandblasted. She started a unique campaign throughout Australia with postcards calling for protection of the area. She painted wildflowers and wanted everyone to know about them. Her collection of wildflowers of Queensland is still celebrated in the Wildflower Festival every year. 

 The successful postcard campaign she began for preserve the area.

She was also a founding member of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland from where some of these photos have been taken. I belong to the Society today and they are instrumental in conservation work in the state. 

Two women, Margaret Scott and Margaret McCoy, who forged ahead with dressmaking in the state - previously women were only allowed to make undergarments - not outside clothes. They elevated and organised the art of dressmaking in the city. 

Women who became first solicitors, barristers and practising barristers in the State. Agnes McWhinney became a solicitor in 1905 but was paid as an office boy until she challenged this unfair disparity. Most of the women, though highly qualified could not find a job. No one would employ them as they said the men would be upset.

Lillian Cooper came to Brisbane in 1891-one of the first women doctors who travelled to her patients in a horse and carriage. Her life partner, Miss Bedford drove her around in her carriage. 

This was organised by The Queensland Women's Historical Association Inc. For more information and joining this amazing organisation go to www.miegunyah.org