Rosetta Jane Birks facts for kids

Rosetta Jane "Rose" Birks (1856–1911) was an important Australian woman who worked to improve society and help others. She played a big part in getting women the right to vote in South Australia.

Who Was Rosetta Birks?

Rose Birks was born in Adelaide, South Australia, on March 12, 1856. Her parents, William Kyffin Thomas and Mary Jane Thomas, were from England. Her father owned two newspapers, the Observer and the Register. Rose was very involved with the Flinders Street Baptist Church in Adelaide, which her father helped to start.

In 1879, Rose married Charles Napier Birks, a wealthy businessman. He was the widower of her sister. This meant Rose became a stepmother to her six nieces and nephews. The Birks family later opened a large department store called Charles Birks & Co on Rundle Street, Adelaide.

Helping Others: Philanthropy

Throughout her life, Rose Birks worked hard to improve women's rights and help with social issues. She led several groups for Baptist women. These included a mothers' union and a women's guild. She started the women's guild to support working women in her church.

In 1882, Rose joined a group called the Ladies' Social Purity Society. This group later became the Women's Suffrage League. Rose took on the role of treasurer for the society.

After women in South Australia won the right to vote, Rose joined the Woman's League committee. She was also one of the first women chosen to be on the board of the Adelaide Hospital. She also joined the board of the Queen Victoria Maternity Home.

In 1902, Rose helped create the South Australian branch of the National Council of Women of Australia. She became its vice-president, working with another important suffragist, Mary Lee.

Fighting for Women's Vote

Rose Birks and her husband often held "drawing room afternoons" at their home in Glenelg. During these gatherings, they would talk about important social issues. These talks often led to discussions about women's rights and the right to vote. Rose was key in getting local people to support women's right to vote.

Through her work with the Ladies' Social Purity Society, Rose quickly became involved in the Women's Suffrage League. She became the Treasurer at her second meeting in 1888. Rose kept this job until the League stopped operating. During this time, she even traveled to England to meet with women who were part of the British suffragette movement.

Rose was very proud to be the first woman to vote at the Glenelg polling station in April 1896.

Leading the YWCA

In 1902, Rose Birks was chosen as President of the Adelaide Young Women's Christian Association. She is known for helping the YWCA grow and become more modern in Australia and New Zealand. Under Rose's leadership, the Adelaide YWCA was the first branch to allow junior members in 1893. This meant girls as young as ten could join club activities.

Other new ideas included offering talks on raising children. They also had classes to help young women develop their skills and knowledge.

Rose was also involved with the YWCA around the world. She went to conferences in London and Paris in 1906. She also attended a conference in Berlin in 1910 as the representative for Australia and New Zealand on the YWCA world committee. In 1911, she started the YWCA Travellers' Aid Society. This group helped immigrants, especially young women looking for work as domestic servants.

In June 1914, the Rose Birks wing of the YWCA hostel in Adelaide was opened by Lady Galway.

Later Life and Legacy

Rose Birks was dedicated to her church until the end of her life. She collapsed and died of a heart condition while speaking at a meeting in Adelaide on October 3, 1911.

Rose Birks is buried at West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide.

See also

In Spanish: Rosetta Jane Birks para niños