What was it like to be involved in the heady days of ‘second wave’ feminism in Australia, when the role of women at home and at work changed decisively? Iola Mathews was one of the founders of the Women’s Electoral Lobby, a journalist at The Age, and later a leading ACTU advocate for women workers during the ‘Accord’ with the Hawke-Keating Government. She was one of the first generation of women trying to ‘have it all’ with a career and children. In this honest and revealing memoir, she takes us inside the day-to-day groundwork required to bring about reforms in areas like affirmative action, equal pay, superannuation, child care, parental leave and work–family issues. This is an important record of a pivotal time for women in Australia’s history. Iola brings wisdom and experience to it, reflecting on where we are today, with suggestions for further reform. Winning for Women is a vital source for policy makers and all those interested in women, work and families. This new edition includes a foreword by historian Michelle Arrow, who discusses the reforms made by the Albanese government around women such as paid parental leave, superannuation and domestic violence.

Flos Greig said, ‘Women are men’s equals in every way and quite competent to hold their own in all spheres of life.’ Then she and her sisters set about proving it. The Greig sisters – including Jane, Janet and Flos – arrived in Melbourne in 1889 in search of a university education. As the 19th century turned into the next, Jane and Janet would be among the first women doctors in Australia. And once an enabling act of parliament was passed, Flos became the first woman in the young nation to practise law. They were unusual for the time and yet not alone. With other similarly remarkable women, they fought for women’s rights and established organisations such as the Queen Victoria Hospital, the Women Graduates’ Association and the Lyceum Club. Their stories – keenly researched by their great-niece Iola Mathews – provide insight not only into their own lives, but into their times, the opposition they faced from the public and their chosen colleagues, and the progress they and others would make for their ‘sisters’ yet to come.

What was it like to be involved in the heady days of ‘second wave’ feminism in Australia, when the role of women at home and at work changed decisively? Iola Mathews was one of the founders of the Women’s Electoral Lobby, a journalist at The Age, and later a leading ACTU advocate for women workers during the ‘Accord’ with the Hawke-Keating Government. She was one of the first generation of women trying to ‘have it all’ with a career and children. In this honest and revealing memoir, she takes us inside the day-to-day groundwork required to bring about reforms in areas like affirmative action, equal pay, superannuation, child care, parental leave and work–family issues. This is an important record of a pivotal time for women in Australia’s history. Iola brings wisdom and experience to it, reflecting on where we are today, with suggestions for further change. Winning for Women is a vital source for policy makers and all those interested in women, work and families.

What was it like to be involved in the heady days of ‘second wave’ feminism in Australia, when the role of women at home and at work changed decisively? Iola Mathews was one of the founders of the Women’s Electoral Lobby, a journalist at The Age, and later a leading ACTU advocate for women workers during the ‘Accord’ with the Hawke-Keating Government. She was one of the first generation of women trying to ‘have it all’ with a career and children. In this honest and revealing memoir, she takes us inside the day-to-day groundwork required to bring about reforms in areas like affirmative action, equal pay, superannuation, child care, parental leave and work–family issues. This is an important record of a pivotal time for women in Australia’s history. Iola brings wisdom and experience to it, reflecting on where we are today, with suggestions for further reform. Winning for Women is a vital source for policy makers and all those interested in women, work and families. This new edition includes a foreword by historian Michelle Arrow, who discusses the reforms made by the Albanese government around women such as paid parental leave, superannuation and domestic violence.

Flos Greig said, ‘Women are men’s equals in every way and quite competent to hold their own in all spheres of life.’ Then she and her sisters set about proving it. The Greig sisters – including Jane, Janet and Flos – arrived in Melbourne in 1889 in search of a university education. As the 19th century turned into the next, Jane and Janet would be among the first women doctors in Australia. And once an enabling act of parliament was passed, Flos became the first woman in the young nation to practise law. They were unusual for the time and yet not alone. With other similarly remarkable women, they fought for women’s rights and established organisations such as the Queen Victoria Hospital, the Women Graduates’ Association and the Lyceum Club. Their stories – keenly researched by their great-niece Iola Mathews – provide insight not only into their own lives, but into their times, the opposition they faced from the public and their chosen colleagues, and the progress they and others would make for their ‘sisters’ yet to come.

What was it like to be involved in the heady days of ‘second wave’ feminism in Australia, when the role of women at home and at work changed decisively? Iola Mathews was one of the founders of the Women’s Electoral Lobby, a journalist at The Age, and later a leading ACTU advocate for women workers during the ‘Accord’ with the Hawke-Keating Government. She was one of the first generation of women trying to ‘have it all’ with a career and children. In this honest and revealing memoir, she takes us inside the day-to-day groundwork required to bring about reforms in areas like affirmative action, equal pay, superannuation, child care, parental leave and work–family issues. This is an important record of a pivotal time for women in Australia’s history. Iola brings wisdom and experience to it, reflecting on where we are today, with suggestions for further change. Winning for Women is a vital source for policy makers and all those interested in women, work and families.