Women's Electoral Lobby

Item

Full name of organisation: Women's Electoral Lobby
Short name / acronym: WEL
Organisation type: Community Group
Short description: In 1972, Melbourne academic Beatrice Faust convened feminists to discuss Gloria Steinem's article in Ms. Magazine, sparking the formation of a women's lobby group. This initiative extended to Sydney, where Caroline Graham, June Surtees, and Wendy McCarthy co-founded the Women's Electoral Lobby (WEL) in NSW.

WEL quickly attracted diverse members, predominantly women in their early thirties with professional careers, fostering a network based on trust and political skill development. Despite facing criticism and political obstacles, WEL steadfastly advocated for gender equality.

Today, WEL remains a prominent force in Australian politics, dedicated to advancing women's rights and equality. It is frequently referenced in parliamentary debates, media reports, and academic studies.
Start date: 1972
Location (places): Cairns; Rockhampton; Townsville
People involved: Faust, Beatrice
URLs: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/134420041?searchTerm=%22Women%27s%20Electoral%20Lobby%22; https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/126164685?searchTerm=%22Women%27s%20Electoral%20Lobby%22; https://www.wel.org.au/; https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110954605?searchTerm=%22Australian%20Federation%20of%20Business%20and%20Professional%20Women%22; https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/116406187?searchTerm=%22Australian%20Federation%20of%20Business%20and%20Professional%20Women%22
Group affiliation(s): Gender / Sexuality
Key issues: Women's rights; Sex Education; Domestic violence reform; Rape law reform; Politics

Media: Screen Shot 2023-05-02 at 12.31.28 pm.png

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Items with "Community Submissions: Women's Electoral Lobby"
Title	Class
The Ahern Report 1980	PolicyInquiry
The Beazley Report 1984	PolicyInquiry