Rose Scott (1847–1925)

Fighter for women's rights, opponent of Federation

Scott came from a wealthy family in country New South Wales. She was very attractive and had many offers of marriage. She turned them all down because she did not want to be someone's wife; she wanted to live her own life.

She moved to Sydney and worked to get women the vote and to get the laws changed so that men had less power over women. She invited interesting, important people of all sorts to meet together at her home, which gave her the chance to ask for their support.

After women got the vote, she set out to teach them how to use it. She was disappointed that most women voted for the same parties as men. She had wanted women to be a separate force for good.

She opposed Federation because she did not want another parliament meeting a long way away where it would be even harder for women to become members. And this new parliament was to have power over marriage and divorce!

It was 43 years before women did get elected to federal parliament.

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