AO, Centenary medal

Born

19 February 1939
Glenhuntly, Victoria, Australia

Occupation

Women's rights activist and Writer

Alternative Names

• Fennessy, Beatrice Eileen (maiden name)

Summary

A founding member of the Women's Electoral Lobby in 1972, Beatrice Faust was an activist for women's rights, particularly in relation to abortion law reform. She served as president of the Victorian Abortion Law Repeal Association in 1966. She co-founded the Victorian Union of Civil Liberties in 1965 and has lobbied for relaxation on censorship laws as well as on issues of equal opportunity for women. In 2001 she was awarded a Centenary Medal 'for service to the community through women's issues and in 2004 she was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia 'for service to the community in the areas of social, political and employment reform and through provoking debate and raising public awareness of issues affecting women's rights'.