2024 marks 130 years since South Australia led the nation and the world in granting the right for women to vote and stand for parliament when South Australia passed the Constitutional Amendment (Adult Suffrage) Act in 1894, decades ahead of Europe and North America. This crucial first step towards political equality required years of petitioning and 11,000 signatures.

Despite Selena Siggins standing for parliament in 1918, it was 41 years before Jessie Cooper and Joyce Steele were successfully elected in 1959, and it wasn’t until 1962 that Aboriginal Australians–men and women–were able to vote, and nearly 50 years later before the country saw its first female Prime Minister come to office.

In South Australia’s current Parliament, women hold key positions in Cabinet and leadership roles across the political spectrum, although equal representation is yet to gain full momentum.

130 years of women’s suffrage in South Australia coincides with the University of Adelaide’s 150th anniversary and to celebrate the milestones a special Make History Speaker Series event–Women in the House–brings together a powerful panel of prominent current and former female figures in state and federal politics at the University. All four panellists are returning alumni.

Join us for a celebratory discussion in Elder Hall facilitated by award-winning journalist Tory Shepherd. This will be a unique opportunity to hear from four exceptional women from across Australia’s political spectrum as they reflect on the history of women in Australian politics, share their unique experiences, discuss the impact women have in politics today, and explore the road to greater professional and political equality in the future of South Australia and the country.

Young women aspiring towards careers in politics are particularly encouraged to attend.

About the facilitator:

Tory Shepherd is a senior journalist at Guardian Australia. Previously, at The Advertiser, she was an opinion writer, political editor and state editor. She has written for a range of publications including Crikey and Gourmet Traveller, hosted podcasts. Tory appears on various television and radio shows, and is the author of On Freedom.