Free Event – Skirts on Sacred Benches: Celebrating 100 years of women in NSW Parliament

Free Event – Skirts on Sacred Benches: Celebrating 100 years of women in NSW Parliament

Did you know that women in NSW won the vote in 1902, yet were denied the right to stand for parliament until 1918?

Join us for an extraordinary event held in the Legislative Assembly of the NSW Parliament to celebrate the centenary of the 1925 election of Millicent Preston-Stanley – the NSW Parliament’s first female member.

This very special event will be held in the very same chamber where Preston-Stanley affected change as the only woman member in the legislature at the time.

When: Wednesday 13 August from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm

In-person: Legislative Assembly Chamber, NSW Parliament. Limited seats available! Join the waitlist to receive an invite as tickets become available.

Livestream: Register to watch the event online.

Former High Court and Supreme Court judge, The Hon Virginia Bell AC, SC, will provide a keynote address on the fascinating story of the passing of the NSW Women’s Legal Status Act in 1918, which allowed women to become solicitors and barristers and be elected to parliament.

Then, watch Skirts on Sacred Benchesa historical re-enactment of Millicent Preston-Stanley’s motion to improve rights for women with the Guardianship of Infants bill.

This event is brought to you by the Parliament of NSW Education and Engagement team.

The NSW Women’s Legal Status Act 1918 is on display at Parliament House

If you’re joining us in-person, or planning to visit NSW Parliament in the coming weeks, don’t miss your chance view the original copies of the NSW Women’s Legal Status Act, on display below the portrait of Millicent Preston-Stanley near the Legislative Assembly entrance to NSW Parliament House. Limited time only!

Read more about Millicent here.

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