Madge Connor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Madge Connor
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Madge Connor (circa 1899)
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| Born |
Madge Irene McCarthy
1874 Waterford, Ireland
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| Died | 12 October 1952 Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
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| Resting place | Boroondara General Cemetery |
| Nationality | British |
| Other names | Madge O'Connor |
| Occupation | Police officer |
| Years active | 1917–1929 |
| Employer | Victoria Police |
| Known for | First female police officer in Victoria |
Madge Irene Connor (born around 1874 – died 12 October 1952) was a brave police officer from Ireland who moved to Australia. She made history by becoming the very first woman to join the Victoria Police force. This happened in October 1917, when she was appointed as a 'police agent'.
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Madge's Early Life
Madge Connor was born in Waterford, Ireland, around 1874. When she was only two years old, her father, who was a sailor, was lost at sea. After this, she lived with family in England for a while.
Later, she moved to the United States and then to New Zealand. At 16, she met and married Edward Connor. They moved to Melbourne, Australia, to start their new life together.
Becoming a Police Officer
In 1916, Madge's husband, Edward, sadly passed away. Madge then started working for the police force. She helped them investigate illegal gambling. She even lived undercover in a boarding house to gather important evidence.
In 1917, women's groups wanted to see more women in the police force. Because of their efforts, Madge was one of the first two women to become 'police agents'. These agents had half the salary of male officers. They also did not have the power to arrest people, wear a uniform, or carry a weapon.
Madge led a group of other female agents. She worked hard to get women officially appointed to the Victoria Police. Her efforts paid off! On 12 November 1924, Madge and three other female police agents were officially sworn in as police officers. This meant they earned equal pay and had the same arrest powers as male officers.
Later Career and Legacy
Due to old police rules, Madge lost her senior position. She was then seen as a junior officer. She had to retire on 14 November 1929. Madge could not get a police pension because she had not served for 15 years as a sworn officer. So, she used her detective skills to become a private investigator.
Madge Connor passed away on 12 October 1952 in Melbourne. She was buried at Boroondara General Cemetery in Kew. In August 2017, a special plaque was placed at the cemetery. It honored her role as a pioneer for women in policing. Later that year, a statue of Madge was unveiled at the Victoria Police Academy. This statue celebrates her important place in history.
See also
- Lillian May Armfield (1884–1971), one of the first two female NSW police officers (July 1915)
- Kate Cocks (1875–1954), first two South Australian female police officers (December 1915)
- Zara Dare (1886–1965), one of the first two female Queensland police officers (March 1931)
- Women in law enforcement
Images for kids
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Madge Connor (circa 1899)
