Edith Cowan: A Life of Unyielding Advocacy and Public Service
In this episode, the hosts discuss the life of Edith Cowan, a notable figure in Australian history. Born in 1861, Cowan faced immense personal tragedies early in life, including the loss of her mother and witnessing the aftermath of her father's drunken violence. Despite these adversities, she went on to have a profound impact on public service, particularly focused on women's rights, child protection, and education. Cowan co-founded numerous organizations, was the first woman elected to an Australian parliament, and pushed for various legal reforms, including women’s legal rights and child welfare. Her legacy includes being featured on the Australian $50 bill and having a university named in her honor. This episode explores her journey from a tragic childhood to becoming a national symbol of hope and relentless advocacy.
00:00 Casual Conversations and Comfort Films
01:43 Introducing Edith Cowan: A Tale of Tragedy and Triumph
04:09 Early Life and Family Tragedies
11:08 A New Beginning: Marriage and Motherhood
13:15 Championing Women's Rights and Social Reforms
22:31 Edith's Remarkable Strength and Generosity
23:36 World War I and Australia's Role
27:04 Edith's Contributions During the War
28:53 Edith's Political Milestones
34:46 Edith's Legislative Achievements
40:03 Edith's Legacy and Final Years
45:46 Conclusion and Reflection
Sources today are:
https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/edith-cowan
https://www.ecu.edu.au/about-ecu/welcome-to-ecu/edith-dircksey-cowan
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edith-Cowan
https://candowisdom.com/politics/edith-cowans-inspiring-story#:~:text=Edith%20faces%20a%20new%20life,the%20Perth%20suburb%20of%20Guildford.
https://www.morethanourchildhoods.org/
https://www.karrakattaclub.com.au/history
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_in_World_War_I
https://www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2021-01/IWD-Edith-Cowan-Factsheet.pdf
https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/WebCMS/webcms.nsf/content/edith-cowan-centenary-edc100parliamentarycareer
https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/WebCMS/webcms.nsf/content/edith-cowan-centenary-edc100communityservice
