Mary Hynes Swanton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Hynes Swanton
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Swanton in 1932
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| Born | 22 June 1861 West Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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| Died | 25 November 1940 (aged 79) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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| Nationality | Australian |
| Known for | anti-conscriptionist, trade union official, women's activist |
Mary Hynes Swanton (born 22 June 1861 – died 25 November 1940) was an important Australian activist. She worked hard for workers' rights and for women's rights. Mary was a leader in trade unions and helped improve conditions for many people. She is remembered for her strong efforts to make Australia a fairer place.
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Mary Swanton's Early Life and Education
Mary "Mamie" Hynes Swanton was born in Melbourne, Australia, on 22 June 1861. Her parents, James and Sarah Marie Swanton, were from Ireland. Her father owned a business that rented out cars.
Mary received her education from Benedictine nuns. This type of schooling helped shape her strong character.
Starting Her Career in Western Australia
By 1889, Mary was working as a tailoress in Western Australia. A tailoress is someone who makes or alters clothes. This job gave her a close look at the working conditions of many people.
In 1896, she attended a meeting in Perth about women's suffrage. Women's suffrage was the movement to give women the right to vote. This meeting sparked her interest in fighting for women's rights.
Leading the Way for Women's Rights
Mary Swanton became a member of the Australian Natives' Association (ANA). This group was for people born in Australia. In 1900, she made history by becoming the first woman to receive an honorary life membership in the ANA. This was a big achievement for a woman at that time.
She also helped start other important groups. She was involved in founding the Australian Women's Association and the Karrakatta Club. These clubs helped women come together and work for change.
Fighting for Workers' Rights
Mary Swanton was a true champion for workers. She focused especially on improving conditions for people in the clothing industry.
President of the Tailoresses' Union
From 1900 to 1905, Mary was the founding president of the Perth Tailoresses' Union. A trade union is a group of workers who join together to protect their rights. They work to get better pay, safer workplaces, and fair treatment.
When the Tailoresses' Union joined the Tailors' Union, Mary continued her work. She became a representative to the Trades and Labour Council. This council brought together different unions to discuss workers' issues.
Ending Child Labor and Improving Health
Mary Swanton's main goal was to stop child labor in Perth's clothing factories. Many children worked long hours in unsafe conditions. She also fought for better health and safety for all workers. Her efforts helped make workplaces safer and fairer for everyone.
In 1907, Mary achieved another first. She was the first woman to be elected president of the Tailors and Tailoresses' Union of Western Australia. This showed how much her fellow workers trusted and respected her.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1913, Mary moved to Kalgoorlie to live with her brother and help him as a housekeeper. Even there, she continued her activism. She kept working for the local ANA group and regularly wrote articles.
Later, she returned to Subiaco. In the late 1920s, she opened the Perth Working Girls' Club. This club provided a safe and supportive place for young working women.
Mary Swanton also traveled, touring Britain and the United States. She eventually returned to live in Sydney, where she passed away on 25 November 1940. She is buried in Rookwood cemetery.
Mary Hynes Swanton's legacy lives on. A street in the Canberra suburb of Chisholm is named Swanton Street in her honor. This reminds us of her important contributions to Australian society.
