Women's Christian Temperance Union

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Full name of organisation: Women's Christian Temperance Union
Organisation type: Community Group
Short description: Founded in 1891, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Australasia (later National Women's Christian Temperance Union of Australia) was the country's pioneering national women's organization. Initially focused on alcohol prohibition and suffrage during the 1880s, it expanded under the guidance of American missionaries Mary Leavitt and Jessie Ackerman.

While advocating for traditional family values, the WCTU also supported progressive causes such as equal pay. Its agenda encompassed abstinence, prohibition, gender equality, and peace.

By encouraging women's active participation in public affairs, the WCTU attracted middle-class women from non-conformist churches. Although most influential before World War I, it remains operational today, addressing contemporary issues like substance abuse, social welfare, and gender equality. As of 2003, it boasted 4,000 members across state and territory unions.
Start date: 1891
Location (places): New South Wales; Queensland
URLs: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/187069086?searchTerm=%22Women%27s%20Christian%20Temperance%20Union%22; https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/259439352?searchTerm=%22Women%27s%20Christian%20Temperance%20Union%22; https://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0993b.htm
Group affiliation(s): Gender / Sexuality; Christian
Key issues: Alcohol and Drug Use; Euthanasia; Women and children; Indigenous rights; Christianity

Media: Screen Shot 2023-05-02 at 1.10.29 pm.png

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Items with "Community Submissions: Women's Christian Temperance Union"
Title	Class
The Ahern Report 1980	PolicyInquiry
The Carrick Report 1989	PolicyInquiry