Elizabeth Webb Nicholls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Webb Nicholls
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Elizabeth Webb Nicholls in 1895
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| Born | 21 February 1850 Rundle Street, Adelaide
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| Died | 3 August 1943 (aged 93) North Adelaide
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| Occupation | Suffragist |
| Known for | President of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) of South Australia |
Elizabeth Webb Nicholls (born February 21, 1850 – died August 3, 1943) was a very important leader in the movement to get women the right to vote in South Australia. This happened in the 1890s. She held many important positions in Adelaide, the capital city. Elizabeth was the President of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) of South Australia. This group was key in helping South Australia become the first Australian colony to let women vote in 1894.
Contents
Who Was Elizabeth Webb Nicholls?
Her Early Life and Family
Elizabeth Webb Nicholls was born on February 21, 1850, in Rundle Street, Adelaide. Her parents were Samuel Bakewell, a grocer, and Mary Ann. When Elizabeth was only three years old, her mother passed away. She then lived with relatives in England for a few years before returning to Adelaide. Her father later married Mary Ann's sister, Eliza Hannah.
On August 2, 1870, Elizabeth married Alfred Richard Nicholls. They had one daughter and four sons. They also welcomed two orphaned relatives into their home and raised them. As a young woman, Elizabeth once said, I long to have the will and the power to be very useful. This shows her desire to help others.
Elizabeth's father, Samuel, and her uncle, William, both became members of the South Australian House of Assembly. This gave her some early exposure to politics. She was also an active member of the Archer Street Wesleyan church. There, she taught Sunday School and shared religious messages. People described Elizabeth as being "short in stature, with a benign expression." She was also a pleasant and confident speaker. Her efficiency and enthusiasm quickly earned her members' approval.
Joining the Fight for Social Change
In July 1886, Elizabeth joined the "WCTU of South Australia." This group worked to improve society. She became very involved in 1888. Later that year, she became the temporary president of the Adelaide branch. In 1889, she was elected president for the entire colony. She held this important role until 1897.
In 1891, Elizabeth Nicholls became one of the first women allowed to join the South Australian Temperance Alliance. This group later became known as the "South Australian Alliance." Elizabeth also started the WCTU's own magazine, Our Federation. She was its editor from 1898 until it stopped publishing in 1904.
Championing Women's Voting Rights
Elizabeth Nicholls brought new energy to the WCTU's work for women's voting rights. She encouraged women to write letters to their local politicians. She spent a lot of time teaching women about their political power. She spoke in many places, explaining how to register and vote. She used her 'Platform of Principles' to guide her talks.
Elizabeth also joined the Women's Suffrage League of South Australia. She later became a Councillor for the League. In 1894, she took on the role of Colonial Superintendent for the WCTU's Suffrage Department.
The Historic 1894 Petition
Elizabeth played a big part in collecting signatures for the 1894 South Australian Women's Suffrage Petition. This petition was sent to the South Australian Parliament. She helped gather 8,268 of the 11,600 signatures. This huge effort led to the passing of the Constitutional Amendment (Adult Suffrage) Act 1894. This law gave women in South Australia the right to vote, making it the first Australian colony to do so.
A Lifetime of Making a Difference
Elizabeth Nicholls continued her important work throughout her life. From 1895 to 1922, she was a member of the Adelaide Hospital Board. In 1915, she became one of the first four women appointed as a Justice of the Peace. A Justice of the Peace helps with legal matters, and Elizabeth often worked in the Children's Court. She also pushed for more women to be appointed to similar roles in other Australian states. She argued for improvements in prisons. Elizabeth also worked to make conditions and wages better for women who were working. This led her to become a shareholder in the women's South Australian Co-operative Clothing Co.
From 1909, Elizabeth was a member of the Women's Non-Party Political Association. She became its president in 1911. She remained very passionate about women's voting rights. She was elected vice-president of the League of Women Voters of South Australia. In 1920, she attended a big international meeting in Geneva for women's suffrage. In 1921, she helped create the Australian Federation of Women Voters. She also spoke to the League of Nations (which is now the United Nations) on behalf of Australian women.
Elizabeth stayed dedicated to the WCTU her whole life. She was involved in a successful public vote in 1915. This vote resulted in hotels closing earlier, at 6:00 pm. She believed all these changes helped create a better and healthier society.
Her husband, Alfred, passed away on November 11, 1920. He had worked for 55 years at G. & R. Wills & Co. Elizabeth then moved into Willard House. This was the WCTU's headquarters and a residence in Adelaide. She passed away in North Adelaide on August 3, 1943. She is buried in Payneham cemetery.
See also
In Spanish: Elizabeth Webb Nicholls para niños
