SA is full of history makers and trailblazers
The women in this state have a proud history of smashing ceilings, breaking the mould and not taking no for an answer. And that’s worth celebrating.
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In 1894, 125 years ago, South Australia was the first place in the world to give women the right to vote and stand for parliament.
Australia’s first female Prime Minister, was Julia Gillard.
Katie Sarah is the first woman in the world to climb the highest mountains on all seven continents.
In 1885, Edith Dornwell was the first woman in Australia to graduate with a science degree. Dr Laura Fowler was Australia’s first female surgeon.
Dr Sui Yu was the first person in the world to map Fragile X Syndrome and Australia’s first genetic pathologist.
Catherine Branson was Australia’s first female Crown Solicitor, Clare Lindop was the first female jockey to ride in the Melbourne Cup and Faith Thomas was the first indigenous Australian woman to play a sport (Cricket) for Australia.
All of these inspiring women are South Australian.
The women in this state have a proud history of smashing ceilings, breaking the mould and not taking no for an answer. Many did not travel an easy path. Many were told ‘no’ because of their gender.
Instead they worked hard and paved the way for the next generation.
Last week I sat down to listen to some inspiring modern day SA trailblazers, excelling in their fields and talking about how they worked hard for success, often in industries dominated by men.
One of those was Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor, just the third female Adelaide lord mayor in 178 years of local government.
Women were elected in record numbers at the 2018 South Australian local government elections – but that’s still just 22 female mayors of the state’s 68 councils.
“I hope one day that won’t be news,” Ms Verschoor told the event.
“One day 50/50 will just be how it is.”
There is much work to do if we want our daughters to have the same opportunities as our sons.
But these examples of SA women doing remarkable things is uplifting and inspiring.
It is only by valuing women and their work, and shining a spotlight on their many achievements, that we really begin to create an equal society.
You can read more about SA’s history-makers, modern day trailblazers and the SA girls changing the world HERE and below:
