The importance of the speakouts was that they offered women from a variety of ethnic and class backgrounds the opportunity to share stories and solidarity. They allowed women the opportunity of breaking the stoic silence and to challenge sterotypes. A good example of this comes from a Japanese woman who 'spoke out' in South Australia in 1983:

'I'm from Japan and I hope to express what my sisters feel. A lot of Asian women are quiet, we look submissive, small and very weak. But we are not so! Quietness doesn't mean weakness.

I would like you all to help erase this stereotypical or mythical image of Asian women. I hope I share this with women of other nationalities too. I'm Japanese, so they all think I'm a Geisha! I'm not a Geisha. I smoke and I drink and I ride a motor bike.

So please help and let's work together at erasing this traditional or I should say stupid image of women.'

And another paints a very gloomy picture:

"Today a few of us women who had the courage and freedom to present ourselves came here today.

There are many women at home that didn't have the courage to come here and are slaves under the harsh working conditions and the bonds of their husbands.'

Sources used to compile this entry: Records and Proceedings of the Speakout for Immigrant and Refugee Women, Migrant Women's Advisory Committee of the South Australian Ethnic Affairs Commission, Adelaide, 1983; Sawer, Marian, 'Double Disadvantage: Migrant and Aboriginal Women', in Sisters in Suits: Women and Public Policy in Australia, Allen and Unwin, North Sydney, 1990, pp. 107-139.