Centenary of Women’s
Suffrage
Contrary to some belief, the WEA does not stand for Women’s
Educational Association! However, the WEA has always had a strong female
student base; board members; staff and leaders – right from its establishment
in South Australia in 1913.
It was fitting then, that the Winter 1994 WEA Course Guide devoted
its cover to a celebration of the centenary of women’s suffrage in South
Australia. The Guide cover, shown below, featured the women of the House of
Assembly and Legislative Council of the day.
Front to back, left to right: Bernice Pfitzner, Dorothy
Kotz, Sandra Kanck, Lorraine Rosenberg, Anne Levy, Julie Greig, Carolyn
Pickles, Elizabeth Penfold, Caroline Schaefer, Annette Hurley, Diana Laidlaw,
Joan Hall.
Celebratory events were held at the WEA to celebrate women’s
right to vote in South Australia and to stand for election to parliament (South
Australia was the first state in Australia to grant women the right to vote). Photos from a celebratory event which launched
the Winter Course Guide are also included below. Do you know the names of any
of the women in these photos?
