A book on Australian feminist and World War I peace activist Margaret Thorp will be launched by Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency Quentin Bryce, AC, on Monday, September 4.
“Peace Angel” of World War I: Dissent of Margaret Thorp by UQ PhD student Hilary N Summy was recently published by the University’s Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (ACPACS).
The launch will be held in The James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre, The University of Queensland, University Drive, St Lucia Campus, from 6pm until 8pm on Monday.
Also attending Monday’s launch will be ACPACS Director Professor Kevin Clements, Professor Carole Ferrier from UQ’s School of English, Media Studies and Art History, and the Choir of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.
Professor Clements said Hilary Summy was a new and exciting Peace Historian currently writing on the League of Nations.
Margaret Thorp played a pivotal role in campaigning against conscription in Queensland in the lead-up to a 1916 referendum on the issue.
The book focuses on the early life of Ms Thorp – a Quaker dedicated to advancing the role of women, child welfare, safe working environments, Christian pacifism and Christian socialism.
“Conscription debates in Queensland at the time often erupted into physical violence – Margaret Thorp had the unique ability to relate to people who held very different social and political views. Her empathy and listening skills, as well as her dynamic public speaking, enabled her to reach out to others and create positive relations,” Professor Clements said.
“At the same time, her great passion for peace and justice gave her the courage to stand against the tide of popular opinion.”
Both the 1916 and 1917 conscription referendums were extremely divisive and narrowly defeated – 1,087,557 in favour, 1,160,033 against in 1916, and 1,015,159 in favour and 1,181,747 against in 1917.
For more information, phone 3365 1763 or email a.bartos@uq.edu.au or a.nolan@uq.edu.au.
Media: Shirley Glaister at UQ Communications (3365 2049).
