Senator 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.
Born in Perth. Daughter of an engine driver. She won a Secondary School scholarship & in 1921 completed her Leaving Certificate. Became a passionate social justice advocate and was an active member of the Australian Labour Party. She graduated from Claremont Teachers College and then taught at Claremont Central School from 1934 (History, Poetry, Literature, Geography, Civics, English). She completed her Diploma of Education in the late 1930's where she played an active role in student politics and affairs, including debating. She was endorsed as a Labour candidate for Nedlands in the State Elections of 1936. She was unsuccessful. However in 1943, she became Australia's first female Senator. She 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) 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. She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1968. She died in 1985.
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'.
More items like this
Other items from Claremont Museum
- Conductresses On A United Double Decker Bus
- Claremont Amateur Swimming Club
- Claremont Central School
- Claremont Mental Hospital
- Dorothy Tangney At Home
- Federal Parliamentary Labor Party, Canberra 1946
- 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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