Jessie Street facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jessie Mary Grey, Lady Street
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| Born |
Jessie Mary Grey Lillingston
18 April 1889 |
| Died | 2 July 1970 (aged 81) Sydney, Australia
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| Monuments | Jessie Street Gardens, Jessie Street National Women's Library |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney (BA, 1911) |
| Spouse(s) | Sir Kenneth Whistler Street |
| Children | Sir Laurence Whistler Street |
| Relatives | Edward Ogilvie (grandfather) Sir Philip Whistler Street (father-in-law) |
| Family | Street |
Jessie Mary Grey, Lady Street (born Jessie Lillingston; 18 April 1889 – 2 July 1970) was an important Australian activist. She fought for women's right to vote and for the rights of Indigenous Australians, who are the original people of Australia. The media sometimes called her "Red Jessie" because of her strong political views.
Jessie Street was Australia's only female representative at the meeting that created the United Nations in 1945. This made her Australia's first female delegate to the United Nations. She worked hard to make sure the United Nations Charter included a rule that said no one should be treated unfairly because of their gender. She also led the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs, which helped campaign for Indigenous Australians to get full voting rights in 1967.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Jessie Mary Grey Lillingston was born on 18 April 1889 in Ranchi, Bihar, India. Her father, Charles Alfred Gordon Lillingston, worked for the government in India. Her mother, Mabel Harriet Ogilvie, was the daughter of an Australian politician named Edward Ogilvie.
In 1916, Jessie married Kenneth Whistler Street. His father, Sir Philip Whistler Street, was a very important judge in New South Wales, Australia. Jessie's husband, Sir Kenneth, and their youngest son, Sir Laurence, also became important judges. Jessie and Kenneth had three other children: Belinda, Philippa, and Roger. Jessie studied at the University of Sydney and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1911.
Fighting for Change
Jessie Street was a very active person in politics, both in Australia and around the world, for more than 50 years. She started by supporting the women's suffrage movement in England, which worked for women to get the right to vote. Later, she played a big part in removing unfair rules against Indigenous Australians from Australia's laws in 1967.
A Voice in Politics
In 1943, Jessie Street ran for election to the Australian Parliament. She was a member of the Australian Labor Party. She ran in the area of Wentworth in Sydney. She almost won, which was a big surprise because that area usually voted for the other party.
At the United Nations
In 1945, Jessie Street was the only woman from Australia at the San Francisco Conference. This meeting created the United Nations. There, she worked closely with Eleanor Roosevelt from the United States. Together, they made sure that the United Nations Charter included gender as a reason why people should not be discriminated against, along with race and religion. This was a very important step for equal rights worldwide.
In 1949, Jessie Street became a founding member of the Australian Peace Council. This group worked for peace around the world.
Honoring Her Legacy
To remember her important work, several places and groups are named after Jessie Street. These include the Jessie Street Centre, the Jessie Street Trust, the Jessie Street National Women's Library, and Jessie Street Gardens.
Images for kids
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Jessie Street representing Australia at the United Nations
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A sketch of Jessie, aged 21
See also
In Spanish: Jessie Street para niños
