Dorothy Tangney
1943Studio portrait of Dorothy Tangney in dark jacket over light lace top and necklace, with dark hat. Photo is mounted on light card with brown deckled edge.
(Dame) Dorothy Margaret Tangney (1907-1985), daughter of Eugene Tangney and Ellen Augustine Shanahan, was born in North Perth.
Became a passionate social justice advocate and was an active member of the Australian Labour Party.
Passed her leaving certificate at the age of 15 and began training as a schoolteacher, combining her teaching work with part-time study at the University of Western Australia. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1927 and later completed a postgraduate diploma in education in 1932. Taught at Claremont Central School.
In 1936 and 1939, Tangney was endorsed as the Labour candidate for Nedlands in the State Elections and she was unsuccessful on both occasions.
In 1943, Tangney became Australia's first female Senator and represented WA in Canberra. Senator Tangney made history by being the first woman to join a Federal Parliamentary Committee on being elected a member of the Joint Committee on Social Security, where she was able to implement her passion for social justice (health reform, unemployment benefits, working conditions) where she played a part in the establishment of the Australian National University, in the Peace Treaty with Japan, in overseas conferences representing Australia, in the United Nations General Assembly as an observer.
Headed the Western Australian Senate ticket in 1946, 1951, 1955 and 1961, but was defeated in 1967
Made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1968.
Details
Details
Inscribed on the mount under photo [ David Jones.]
Written on rear [Dorothy 1943].
Copyright and Reference
Copyright and Reference
Acknowledgements to be made to 'Claremont Museum 04.81'.
Other items by Tangney Collection
- Dorothy Tangney
- Federal Parliamentary Labor Party
- Dorothy Tangney
- Dorothy Tangney At Home
- Dorothy Tangney Working At Home
- Ellen And Eugene Tangney
- Dorothy Tangney And Enid Lyons
- Dorothy And Phyllis Tangney
- Dorothy And Eugene Tangney
- Dorothy And Phyllis Tangney
- Dorothy And Ellen Tangney
- Prime Minister John Curtin With Dorothy, Eugene and Ellen Tangney
More items like this
Other items from Claremont Museum
- Conductresses On A United Double Decker Bus
- Dorothy And Eugene Tangney
- Dorothy And Eugene Tangney
- Claremont Amateur Swimming Club
- Claremont Central School
- Claremont Hospital For The Insane
- Bay View Terrace Looking Towards Stirling Highway
- Albert Atkinson
- Robert McClure
- Hendry Family During The Great War
- 14 Reserve Street, Claremont
- 'The Bungalow' McClure Family Home

Source: Claremont Museum 04.81
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