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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 Australian academic, educator, consultant, writer, and festival director. Wendy began her career teaching in schools (1970) before her appointment to the Board of Studies (1990) where she held several positions including English Inspector. Prior to her tenured position at Newcastle University (1998), she taught in casual positions at Macquarie University, Sydney University, Australian Catholic University, and Western Sydney University. Wendy has contributed to various voluntary organisations, including as Director of Rose Scott Women Writers’ Festival (2015-2017), Director, Society of Women Writers’ Dare to be an Author Festival (2014), and Education Director Shakespeare Globe Centre Australia (1990- 1996). She has been a judge of several literary prizes including the Premiers Literary Awards 2005-2006 and a consultant to several theatre companies. She has published children’s poetry, plays and a picture book, Secret Smiles (1996), and has written numerous articles and authored, co-authored and edited several books, including Battle-Axe in the Bear Pit: Millicent Preston Stanley MP (2025). Wendy has a BA, MA, Grad Dip Ed Studies and Grad Cert Arts from the University of Sydney and a PhD from Macquarie University. In 2020 she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for services to women and to the dramatic arts. Her other awards include National Council of Women NSW Recognition Award for Promoting the Status of Women (2014), JEDA Award for Drama Writing (2012), Minister for Education Award for Excellence in Teaching (2005), Honorary Life Membership Drama NSW for Service to Drama in Education (2004). Wendy is a member of the Sydney Lyceum Club, The Women’s Club and the Union University & Schools Club of Sydney.
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