Women’s lives have significantly changed since the 1970s but they haven’t changed enough, feminist activist Dr Anne Summers told delegates at Federation’s Women’s Conference on 23 August.
This year’s conference celebrated 50 years of Federation’s Women’s Program and the 50th anniversary since the publication of Dr Summers’ book Damned Whores and God’s Police.
Reflecting on this year’s theme, 50 Years of Fierce, Dr Summers began by discussing the treatment of women at the beginning of her feminist career.
“It seems almost unbelievable today, but until the late 1970s it was perfectly legal for women to be treated as inferiors,” she told the audience, recounting how jobs were once classified by gender and routinely excluded women.
“Things changed, big and small. A small example: the signs on the toilet doors in Federal Parliament had to be repainted [to signify] women or men, instead of senators or members.”
Today, Dr Summers is a Professor of Domestic and Family Violence at the University of Technology of Sydney. Her work uncovers the hidden economic, financial and emotional costs faced by women who have experienced domestic violence.
Women who have experienced domestic violence face an unemployment gap of 5.3 per cent compared to women who have never experienced partner abuse, according to her research.
Highlighting the ongoing marginalisation, discrimination and abuse faced by women, Dr Summers called for feminist activists to practice vigilance and continue fighting to protect and advance women’s rights.
Delegates were exceptionally inspired and moved by the speech, giving her a standing ovation.
“Dr Summers’ speech was just phenomenal. It’s really given me more depth and more insight and, of course, fierceness and more drive to really look into women’s positions in the workplace, in society, in the world,” Jahana Girot of Forbes North Public School said afterwards.
Our teacher activists reflected further on 50 Years of Fierce during a panel chaired by Gail Shelston, consisting of Siobhan Callan, Darelle Duncan, Joan Lemaire, Michelle Rosicky and Charline Emzin-Boyd.
A second panel focused on the future of teaching and women’s roles in the profession. This panel, chaired by Katinka Kastner, consisted of Azka Afzal, Simrit Atwal, Trang Dao, Jessie Eather and Alice Leung.
Delegates were given the opportunity to attend a range of workshops, which included:
- Using Department of Education resources to support LGBTIQA+ community members in school settings
- Organising for complex need and equity
- Supporting schools to address complex student behaviour including sexual harassment
- Leading and controlling your Personal Development Plan
- You’ve been asked to attend a meeting with an executive teacher/principal… What next?
- You too can be President (of your Association)
- More about those Invisible Women
- Strong women, strong voices: Learning from Blak activism
- Suspension and expulsion implementation procedures
- Assisting executive teachers to lead difficult conversations with staff
- All about my membership; connecting with colleagues to increase awareness of member benefits
- TAFE women – knowing your rights and Rebuilding TAFE.
The conference was a big success, with members able to share knowledge and experience with other women. Members left feeling empowered and confident to shape the future.
Women’s Conference is an annual event — keep an eye out for details of next year’s Conference.
Check out more photos on our NSWTF Flickr!