Philobiblon

This is the sort of Australian history I should have been taught in school, but never was….

“As a shirtmaker, in 1890 Emma Miller helped to form a female workers’ union, mainly of tailoresses. In 1891 she gave evidence to the royal commission into shops, factories and workshops and marched with shearers’ strike prisoners when released. She was the first woman to travel west organizing for the Australian Workers’ Union and was the first woman member and a life member of the Brisbane Workers Political Organization. Emma Miller championed equal pay and equal opportunity for women and was foundation president of the Woman’s Equal Franchise Association …

And the bit this quasi-official doesn’t tell you is that she is “is remembered for sticking her hatpin into the horse that bore the Police Commissioner during the 1912 General Strike” – which I learnt from the always wonderful Born on this Date women’s history email list – thanks Penny!