Vida Jane Mary Goldstein
‘Vida Goldstein was an early Australian feminist politician who campaigned for women's suffrage and social reform’.
Contents Page 1
Introduction to Suffragettes
Page 2,3,4
About Vida Goldstein
Page 5
Leadership and Legacy
Page 6
Picture
Page 7
In Remembrance
Page 8
Glossary
Suffragettes Suffragettes were women who fought for women to have the right to vote, they also fought for; equal property rights, equal pay and women in positions [e.g. in parliament]. They were considered radical, due to the methods they used to have their opinion heard. Vida Goldstein was one of them.
About Vida Goldstein Career, social life and family affairs ‘Vida Jane Mary Goldstein was a feminist politician, women’s rights suffragette and social reform worker’. She was born on the 13th of April, 1869, in Portland, Victoria. The eldest child of Jacob Robert Yannasch Goldstein and his wife Isabella Goldstein, née Hawkins. Vida and her sisters were well educated by a private governess; starting from 1884, Vida attended the Presbyterian Ladies' College in Melbourne. Vida’s first appearance as a suffragette, came when she helped her mother collect signatures for the huge Women's Suffrage Petition in 1890. When Vida became a confirmed suffragette, she advocated for women to have; equal property rights, equal pay, and the appointment of women to various positions. [e.g. in parliament.] In the 1890s Vida also became involved in the Criminology Society, the National AntiSweating League and a number of different social welfare activities. Especially those promoted by her close friend Annette Bear-Crawford, who was also a suffragette.
Vida Goldstein was an attractive girl who was always well dressed; through her life she had many proposals, but she never said yes. In 1892-98, when her family income was affected by Melbourne's bank crashes, Vida and her three sisters formed a coeducational preparatory school in Alma Road, St Kilda. Although their father was an anti-suffragist, he encouraged his four daughters to be economically independent and educated. On the other hand, Vida's mother was a confirmed suffragette and a passionate worker for social reform. Vida read widely on political, economic and legislative subjects and attended Victorian parliamentary sessions. In 1899 after the death of her dear friend, Mrs. Bear-Crawford, Vida was the acknowledged leader of the “radical� women's movement in Victoria, and that year she made her first public-speaking appearance to advocate the vote for woman. She was trained initially by her friend, [Mrs. Bear-Crawford, deceased] Vida quickly became a remarkably capable and impressive speaker with the ability to any crowd she was talking to.
‘Between 1899 and 1908 Vida's first priority was the suffrage’. In 1902 she travelled to the United States of America to speak at the International Woman Suffrage Conference, Vida was elected secretary. She gave information in favor of woman suffrage to a committee of the United States Congress and attended the International Council of Women Conference. For most Australian women, 1902 was the year they rejoiced, women in Australia [aged 21+] were given the right to vote for the Federal Parliament. Vida was one of four women who were the first in the British Empire [the Common wealth of Australia] to be nominated and to stand for election. In her first bid as an Independent candidate for the Senate in 1903, she was proposed and assisted by the Women's Federal Political Association. This association had been formed to organize the women's vote for the first Federal elections. Despite being mocked of her candidacy, Vida polled 51 497 votes at the December elections. After her defeat, Vida realized, that if women wanted to succeed in the elections, they needed greater organization. Vida began educating female voters through the renamed, Women's Political Association (W.P.A.). Her desire to enter parliament and determination to become Prime Minister was because she wanted to put her ideals in practice. Even though Vida ran for Prime Minister many times, she never succeeded, the first reason was because she was an independent candidate and secondly the press were either antagonistic to her, misrepresented her or ignored her.
This was a poster that was made after the Senate elections.
Leadership and Legacy Vida Goldstein was a determined leader to many Australian women suffragettes, she was passionate in her works and made sure people heard her opinions. From the start Vida already had her legacy determined, she was going to prove that women should be equal to men. Even when times were hard and she was mocked, misrepresented by press and her pleas were ignored, she soldiered on and succeeded. Women now being able to vote, are from her [and some other suffragettes] actions. Throughout her life, Vida has fought hard to gain the right for women to vote and have equal rights. Vida has made her mark in Australia and should be remembered for her sincerity and her ambition to succeed.
In Remembrance
This bench was created in remembrance of Vida Goldstein and the contribution she made in women’s suffrage. Vida died on August 15th , 1949, South Yarra, Melbourne.
Glossary Advocate: A person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy. Economic: Relating to economics or the economy. Legislate: Make or enact laws.
Parliamentary: Relating to, enacted by, or suitable for a parliament. Antagonistic: Showing or feeling active opposition or hostility towards someone or something.