HerStory Archive

The stories and photographs of pioneering Australian women are preserved in our HerStory Archive, which has been catalogued and indexed in the database below.

Apart from preserving many often previously untold stories, the archive will be useful for future researchers, as well as inspiration for future exhibitions at National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame headquarters in Alice Springs and online.

The information comes to us through many avenues: from our staff and volunteer research and from information supplied by visitors, authors, scholars and friends and family of the pioneer women.

The information on each woman who is included is a summary of her file in our archives. We are working toward attaching photos and will update information as it becomes available to us. As you can appreciate, this is a huge task and will require some financial support. If you have additional information on any of the women listed or another pioneer woman, or believe that our information is incorrect, Submit a HerStory Form

A BECKETT, Emma

Born 1838, Died 1906

Author of diaries spanning half a century, they tell an absorbing story of the birth of one of Australia's most famous artistic families. Emma was a decisive influence in this…
ACKROYD, Joyce Irene

Born 23/11/1918, Died 30/8/1991

Joyce Ackroyd was a professor of Japanese language and literature, and one of the pioneers who changed the pattern of Japanese studies in Australia. In 1965 she founded the Department…
ADAM-SMITH, Patsy

Born 31/5/1924, Died 21/9/2001

Also known as: Patricia Jean Smith

First woman Articled on an Australian Merchant Ship (Radio Operator) (1954-60). Popular author of 33 books on history, folklore, and preserving national traditions, plus an…
We’ve been unable to find an image of this woman. If you'd like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left.

ADAMS, Margaret

Died 1988

Also known as: Margaret Kentley

First President of the newly formed Australian Women's Flying Club (AWFC). Prior to the outbreak of the war, the Australian women's piot scene was beginning to develop and…
We’ve been unable to find an image of this woman. If you'd like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left.

ADAMSON, Dorothy

First female bank clerk in Alice Springs. Also worked in Commonwealth Bank in 1942.
ADAMSON, Mabel

Born 3/10/1905, Died 18/12/1995

Also known as: “May”. Maiden name was Wilkinson.

Mabel was an early pioneer of Central Australia, arriving in Alice Springs on 5th May, 1920, with her family. Mabel's father's brother, George Wilkinson, had a store in Alice…
We’ve been unable to find an image of this woman. If you'd like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left.

ADDISON, Lily Isabel Maude

Born 1887, Died 1968

1906 - First woman to do technical work in architectural office in Queensland. Lily assisted in her father's office from about 1906. In 1914 she passed Building Construction and…
ADDISON, Marion Lillian

Born 21/12/1885, Died 27/11/1982

Also known as: Lily

1919 - First Australian woman to play at Wimbledon. At the time, Lily was the singles champion of Australia. As a tennis player she had significant success in Australia and often…
We’ve been unable to find an image of this woman. If you'd like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left.

ADKINS, Shirley (Oam)

First women to be awarded the Oswald Watt Medal (Australia's highest Aviation Award)
First woman elected president of the royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia
ADLER, Mary

Born 17/2/1862, Died 8/6/1897

Also known as: nee Millar

Mary Adler came from Murtoa in the Wimmera. In 1893, she and her husband selected land at Lalbert, near Swan Hill, which they settled with their five sons. She died at 36 years of age,…
We’ve been unable to find an image of this woman. If you'd like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left.

ADLIDE, Virginia

Developed the first Ronald McDonald House in Australia. Virginia was awarded the Order of Australia for this work.
AH TOY, Woo Len

Born 24/10/1917, Died November 15, 2001

Also known as: nee Wong, Lily

Lily was born and grew up in Darwin and was known to many in the Top End for her stoicism, generosity and warm good humour. From 1936 to 1942 and continuining after the war, Lily and…
AKHURST, Daphne Jessie

Born 22/4/1903, Died 9/1/1933

Also known as: Daphne Cozens

Daphne Akhurst was the first Australian woman to reach the Wimbldeon semi-finals (1928) and the first Australian woman to figure prominently in tennis in overseas tours. She reached…
We’ve been unable to find an image of this woman. If you'd like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left.

ALEXANDER, Elizabeth

Born 16/4/1943

First woman to be a partner at a big eight accounting firm (Price Waterhouse) in 1977. First woman to be State and National president of CPA (Certified Practicing Accountants)…
We’ve been unable to find an image of this woman. If you'd like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left.

ALLAN, Bridget

A pioneer of the Heytesbury Closer settlement in Victoria, from around 1959-1960.
ALLAN, Stella

Born 25/10/1871, Died 1/3/1962

Also known as: Stella Henderson, ‘Vesta’ (pen name)

Introduced the first woman's page in Australian daily paper. In 1907, the Argus commissioned Stella to write a series of articles on the first Australian Women's Work…
ALLARD, Louise

2006 - First Australian woman to ski to the North Pole
ALLCHIN, Mary David

Born 17/5/1913

Pioneer of Central Australia. Arrived in Alice Springs in 1941, took her final vows with the Catholic Church in 1942 and helped establish Arltunga mission in 1942. Also worked on…
We’ve been unable to find an image of this woman. If you'd like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left.

ALLEN-BROWN, Lynne

1993 - First female Chief Superintendent of St Johns Ambulance
ALLEN, Denise

1983 - First observer woman posted to Queensland 1984 - First woman posted to Willis Island 1986 - First woman to winter on the Antarctic Continent for the Bureau of Meteorology 1988 -…
We’ve been unable to find an image of this woman. If you'd like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left.

ALLEN, Lynn (Prof.)

First woman State Librarian in Western Australia in its 107 year history
ALLPORT, Mary Morton

Born 17/5/1806, Died 10/6/1895

Also known as: Mary Morton Chapman (maiden name)

Mary Allport was Tasmania's first professional woman artist. She exhibited in local exhibitions and published lithographs. She advertised her professional services as a portrait…
ALLSOP, Elizabeth

First woman to be elected to, and later President of, the Kaniva Shire Council, Victoria Pioneered the mechanical and driving of both 2 and 4 wheeled vehicles for women of the…
ALLSOP, Joan Winifred

Born 10/11/1912, Died 12/10/2000

Australian adult educator. With the assistance of a grant, Allsop was able to attend Columbia University in New York, where she became the first Australian to obtain a doctor of…
We’ve been unable to find an image of this woman. If you'd like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left.

ALSOP, Ruth

Born 1879, Died 1976

First woman to qualify as an architect in Victoria. She began work at her younger brother Rodney's firm Klingender & Alsop sometime after 1907. She worked for the firm for seven…