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How Did Vida Goldstein Women's Rights Change

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How Did Vida Goldstein Women's Rights Change
Vida Goldstein

The 20th century was a time of great change in the way women were perceived as members of Australian society. A notable example of a person who helped to bring about this change is the feminist Vida Goldstein, who campaigned for women’s suffrage and social reform in regards to gender inequality. She was an influential leader in the history of Australia’s feminist movement, and her actions were critical in the formation of the gender equal society we live in today.
Vida was the eldest daughter of Jacob and Isabella Goldstein. Both were faithful Christians with strong social consciences and growing up around them would have influenced Vida to make the decisions that she did. Isabella was a devoted suffragist, a committed …show more content…
During the 1890s, she also became involved in the National Anti-Sweating League, the Criminology Society and other social welfare activities, particularly those promoted by Strong and by her good friend Annette Bear-Crawford who Vida had helped organise the Queen Victoria Hospital Appeal for the Queen’s jubilee in 1897. Vida did a lot of reading on political, economic and legislative topics and took part in the Victorian parliamentary sessions in which she learned about procedure while campaigning for a large variety of reformist legislation. After the death of Mrs Bear-Crawford in 1899, Vida was undisputed leader of the radical women’s movement in Victoria and made her first public-speaking appearance to support the vote for woman. Initially trained by her friend, she quickly became an impressive speaker, capable of handling even the most abusive of people that may harass her. It can be said that Vida had these views and wanted to change society because of the people in her life. Her parents would have been very influential as her mother was a feminist and her father, a very committed …show more content…
In the last years of her life, Vida lived with her sisters Elsie and Aileen. She died of cancer at her home in South Yarra on August 15, 1949 and was cremated. Her death passed almost unnoticed and her actions and good deeds were not recognised until later. Vida Goldstein was an influential feminist leader who began the movement, which changed our society into the gender equal nation it is today. While Vida did not live to witness any changes within society, her actions began the movement, which would finally bring gender equality to our society.
“It takes each of us to make a difference for all of us.”
-Jackie Mutcheson

Bibliography
Author unknown (2010), Australian Suffragettes, retrieved 1 April, 2012, http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-suffragettes
Author unknown (2011), Vida Goldstein, retrieved 2 April, 2012, http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/explore-history/fight-rights/womens-rights/vida-goldstein
Author unknown (2010), Vida Goldstein, retrieved 2 April, 2012, http://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/goldstein,9135.html
Multiple authors (2012), Vida Goldstein, retrieved 1 April, 2012,
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