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Saxon lady of Coventry and naked activist for the poor.
Category Archives: Philanthropy
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Beryl Beaurepaire
Born in 1923, Dame Beryl Beaurepaire was a leading figure in the late twentieth century feminist movement in Australia.
Miles Franklin
Stella Miles Franklin was a leading writer who published under the pseudonyms Miles Franklin and Brent of Bin Bin.
Gertrude Abbott
Using an inheritance from Woods, she established St Margaret’s, a non-denominational maternity home in 1893, and for the next 30 years was involved in its management, initially as president and later as matron.
Fatima al-Fihri
Also known as Umm al-Banayn, Fatima bint Muhammad Al-Fihriyya is credited with founding the al-Qarawiyyin mosque in 859 AD in Fez, Morocco. The mosque later developed a teaching institution, which became the University of al-Qarawiyyin in 1963.
Ada Mary a’Beckett
Alongside her employment, a’Beckett played an active role in the life of her community, fitting her ‘philanthropic activities … [into] the leisure moments of a busy professional life (Argus, 12 February 1927), fulfilling the adage that it was ‘the busiest women who can always find time to do a little more’ (Argus, 18 February 1927). To Melbourne journalist, ‘Vesta’ she was an example of the contribution which educated women could make to philanthropic work (Argus, 23 January 1935). She was a founder of the Victorian Women Graduates Association, took leadership roles in both the Janet Clarke Hall Committee and the Lyceum Club, and was also a member of the National Council of Women and the Victoria League. However, her most important contribution was through the Free Kindergarten Union, of which she was the foundation vice-president, president from 1919-39 and life president from then until her death. She was one of the founders, and later a lecturer at the Kindergarten Teaching College and founder of the Australian Association for Pre-School Child Development which was responsible for the establishment of the Lady Gowrie model centres across Australia. Kindergartens, she believed, had the potential to ‘eradicate the weaknesses of human nature and strengthen the good points’ and might in time ‘do away altogether with gaols and asylums’ (Argus, 19 August 1944).
Mabel Balcombe Brookes
Throughout World War Two she was both commandant of the Australian Women’s Air Training Corps and a munitions worker at the Maribyrnong explosives factory. In addition, she vacated her home for use by the Red Cross as a convalescent home for returned soldiers.
Brookes used her social position to energetically promote her causes, raising funds for hospitals and other charities. Her most outstanding contribution was as president of the Queen Victoria Hospital from 1923-1970. She waged a long battle to get adequate accommodation for the hospital, a struggle which she described as ‘a fight by women against prejudice, suspicion and intolerance of women’ (Argus, 19 January 1956).
Julia Hunt Catlin Park Depew Tauffleib
As a socialite, Julia Hunt Catlin Park Depew Taufflieb was known for throwing parties and entertaining many guests. She lived in many cities across the globe, but finally found a home in France. During World War I, she decided to invite more people into her home than ever before. She turned her large mansion into a hospital with over three hundred beds. The French government recognized her generosity and kindness, and she became the first American woman to be awarded the Legion d’honneur and Croix de Guerre.
Sarah B Cochran
Once called America’s only Coal Queen, Sarah B. Cochran was a coal industry leader and philanthropist in an era when American women couldn’t universally vote or serve on juries. By choosing to go out into the world and do the unexpected, she was able to support women’s suffrage and education, and was the first female trustee of Allegheny College.
Mary McLeod Bethune
The daughter of former slaves, Mary Jane McLeod Bethune became one of the most important black educators, civil and women’s rights leaders and government officials of the twentieth century. The college she founded set educational standards for today’s black colleges, and her role as an advisor to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave African Americans an advocate in government.