An initiative of The National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) in conjunction with The University of Melbourne
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May Day march, 2nd May 1976, by Ellis, John Brant
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Established in 1950, the Union of Australian Women is a left-wing social change organisation. Its aim is to work for the status and wellbeing of women across the world
The Union of Australian Women (UAW) was established at a conference in Sydney in August 1950. The New South Wales branch was the first to be formed, with other state branches forming in quick succession. The state branches came together in 1956 to establish a national organisation.
Foundation members included communists, Labour Party supporters, Christian activists, and members of the New Housewives' Association. Early goals included improving the status of women and children, disarmament and a halt to nuclear testing and mining, equal distribution of wealth, increased welfare services, equal pay for women, equality for Indigenous Australians, abortion law reform, and opposition to the White Australia Policy. Current campaigns concern child care, woman and family friendly workplaces, health and housing, outworkers, reconciliation and Indigenous rights.
Sources used to compile this entry: Curthoys, B. (Barbara) and McDonald, Audrey, More Than a Hat and Glove Brigade: The Story of the Union of Australian Women, Bookpress, Sydney, 1996, 179 pp; Suzanne Fabian, Morag Loh, Left-wing Ladies : The Union of Australian women in Victoria 1950-1998, Hyland House, Flemington, Vic, 2000, 196 pp.
Clare Land and Nikki Henningham
Created: 9 August 2001, Last modified: 30 April 2009
