Feminism in focus

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Tags: Arts, EMSAH, feminism, winter-2011

Ms Thornton is interviewed for the project in January. Image Maryanne Dever

When activist and former University of Queensland academic Merle Thornton chained herself to the bar at the Regatta Hotel in the mid-60s, it was a landmark moment for women’s rights in Australia.

Four decades later, a UQ researcher is working to ensure the achievements of the era aren’t forgotten.

Dr Margaret Henderson from the School of English, Media Studies and Art History recently interviewed Ms Thornton as part of an oral history project for the National Library of Australia.

“Merle was ahead of her time in her fight for women’s rights,” Dr Henderson said.

“She formed the Equal Opportunities Association for Women, which campaigned for a number of reforms across a wealth of areas that women may take for granted today.”

Dr Henderson and Associate Professor Maryanne Dever from the University of Newcastle started the project after identifying significant gaps in the formal records of women’s grass-roots activism.

The interview was presented to the National Library as part of the Archiving Australian Feminism: The Personal Papers of Merle Thornton project. Supported by the Sidney Myer Foundation and the Queensland Government, a range of Ms Thornton’s documents and records were also deposited including letters, manuscripts and petitions for action.

By Cameron Pegg

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