Catherine Helen Spence 1825 - 1910

Social & Political Reforms

I was accounted a weak-kneed sister by those who worked primarily for woman suffrage, although I was as much convinced as they were that I was entitled to a vote, and hoped that I might be able to exercise it before I was too feeble to hobble to the poll.

...I have no axe to grind--no political party to serve; so that it was not until the movement for the enfranchisement of women grew too strong to be neglected that I took hold of it at all; and I do not claim any credit for its success in South Australia and the Commonwealth, further than this--that by my writings and my spoken addresses I showed that one woman had a steady grasp on politics and on sociology.

The State Children's Council 1871
This council had been commenced by Miss Caroline Emily Clark with the object of removing children from the Destitute Asylum and placing them in ordinary homes. Clark, Spence and a small group of activists, worked for over two years to remove 230 children from the Magill Home to foster homes and to provide for their education. The Boarding Out Society 1872, ran for 14 years and became a model for the care of neglected, and orphaned children.

Children's Courts in South Australia 1896 - world first
Miss Clark and Mr. C.H. Goode of the Children's Council, pushed for the introduction of Children's Courts. In this reform, South Australia led the world. The movement in South Australia initiated by Miss Clark, spread from State to State, and by the influence of the book written about her work by Spence - State Children in Australia, England adopted the same system in 1907.

First Woman appointed to a School Board 1880
Spence was commissioned to write a short statement for the children attending the State schools on the duties of citizenship. Her 120 page handbook, The Laws We Live Under, went to a second edition of 5,000 copies. She also helped, on a personal level, many State children to receive an education supported by her earnings as a journalist.

Some of her other career highlights include-

Elected President of the Girls' Literary Society 1892

Lecture Tours on Effective Voting

First Female Member of the Hospital Committee 1895

Appointed by Charles Cameron Kingston to the Destitute Board 1897. The first reform she brought in was an improvement in the quality and variety of food supplied.

Foundation member of the Criminological Society in Adelaide concerned with prison reform.

Appointed first President of the SA Co-operative Clothing Company 1901 commenced in South Australia by Mrs. Agnes Milne.

Initiated the National Council of Women in South Australia 1902

She fought for public ownership of the tramways 1903