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Join us for a celebration with TWC Member Dr Wendy Michaels OAM on the release of her book, A Battle-axe in the Bear Pit: Millicent Preston Stanley MP.
In 1925, Millicent Preston Stanley became the first woman to be elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. She arrived with a reputation as an activist, advocate and campaigner, who was not averse to firing witty retorts at those who challenged her. On one occasion when a gentleman tossed the ‘battle-axe’ slur at her she riposted, ‘a battle-axe is a pretty useful weapon if it’s kept sharp and bright’.
Although the Legislative Assembly was Australia’s Mother Parliament, there was nothing motherly about it. Not long after its establishment in 1856 it earned the name ‘Bear Pit’ because of the behaviour of members who regularly used abusive language and even engaged in fisticuffs on the floor of the House.
No wonder parliament was not considered a fit place for a woman!
When Millicent entered those hallowed halls, some observers commented she might be the ‘angel in the house’, taming members’ wild behaviours. But that was not her mission. She was focused on enacting legislation that would make the nation a better place for women and children – and men.
A Battle-axe in the Bear Pit: Millicent Preston Stanley MP paints a portrait of this trailblazing politician. Piecing together information about her family, political apprenticeship, employment in commercial and political associations, work in voluntary organisations, and her election campaigns, it traces her pathway into parliament, describes the misogyny she encountered there, outlines her attempts to advance her legislative agendas against the obstacles in her path, and follows the twists and turns of her extensive post-parliamentary political career.
Speaker Biography
Dr Wendy Michaels OAM is an Honorary Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Science at the University of Newcastle. Her research interests include women in politics and the arts. Her publications include academic articles, teacher resource books and children’s poetry, stories, plays and a picture book. Wendy is currently completing a biography of Millicent Preston Stanley, the first women elected to the NSW parliament and has directed drama and literature festivals including the Shakespeare Globe Centre Australia, the Ourimbah Children’s Literature Festival and the Rose Scott Women Writers’ Festival. She was awarded an OAM for her services to women and to the dramatic arts.
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