Votes for women

One hundred years ago 'votes for women' was the cry all over Australia. From paddock to parlour, women gathered to plan campaigns that would win them the vote and make them the envy of women around the world. Kirsten Lees tells the story of one of the great political victories in the history of white Australia. She shows how ordinary women banded together, published magazines and opened clubs, staged mock elections and established women's parliaments. Harassment and hostility were met with strength of purpose and good humour. Victory did not come easily, but step by step, state by state, women triumphed. Sixty years later Australians celebrated another inspirational civil rights victory. This time the issue was Aboriginal rights. With the catchcry of 'Write yes, Right wrongs' Australians were persuaded to vote to change the Federal Constitution and give Aboriginal Australians the same legal status as other Australians. This story of the struggle to change the mindset of the nation is a link in the chain of resistance that connects the first battles against white invasion with the land rights and native title claims of today. Heavily illustrated with photographs, cartoons and quotes from contemporary documents, Votes for Women is a moving tale of women's courage and determination.