This Sunday, the 8th of March is International Women’s Day. It’s a day celebrated all over the world when all women are recognised for their achievements – both great and small.
While there are countless women both here, and overseas, that are at the forefront of improving gender equality and fighting against sexual discrimination and injustice, there are just as many trailblazers who have sadly passed away.
These women paved the way and smashed glass ceilings for generations to come and deserve just as much recognition this International Women’s Day.
Listen to us talk the importance of using your voice and everything IWD with Sandra Sully on It’s Been A Big Day For…
Anyone with a basic understanding of Australian will be familiar with former Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam. However, not everyone will be aware of Margaret Whitlam – a social campaigner, published author and the wife of Gough.
According to her obituary, Margaret Whitlam “was always by Gough’s side; she was never in his shadow,” which is a true reflection of the impact she made whilst being “one half of the most extraordinary and certainly most enduring personal and political partnerships in Australian history.”
Whitlam, born Margaret Dovey, excelled at sport at a young age and towering over her peers at 6 foot 2, ended up representing Australia in the 220-yard breaststroke at the 1938 British Empire Games. After graduating from the University of Sydney with a Diploma of Social studies, Margaret began working at Parramatta District Hospital and went on to Gough Whitlam in 1942.
In her obituary, Whitlam is described as a “fiercely loyal and devoted wife and mother,” but that didn’t mean she took a backseat when it came to her public role. Not only did she work in her husband’s electorate, but she was an active member of the Labor Party Women’s Conference.
“It annoyed Margaret – and would continue to annoy her throughout her life – when people assumed her political views and commitment were a reflection of those of her husband,” her obituary states. In a 1972 diary entry, she reportedly wrote, “What am I to do? Stay in a cage – wide open to view, of course – and say nothing? That’s not on, but if I can do some good I’ll certainly try.”
This sentiment proved true over the course of Margaret Whitlam’s public life as she remained outspoken on women’s rights including abortion law reform, and wrote a column for Woman’s Day, offering insight into life as a Prime Minister’s wife. According to ABC News, she was “outspoken about the dismissal of the Whitlam government in 1975, saying she told Mr Whitlam he should have torn up the letter from then governor general John Kerr.”
In 1983, Margaret Whitlam was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for services to the community, and in 1997, she became one of the one hundred Australian National Living Treasures.
Whitlam passed away in hospital in March 2012 after suffering a fall. Gough Whitlam, to whom she was married for almost 70 years, said, “she was a remarkable person and love of my life.”
Margaret Whitlam joins the ranks of inspiring First Ladies including Michelle Obama and Hilary Clinton. For that, and all her other achievements, she deserves to be not only remembered but celebrated.
Always be in the loop with our snackable podcast breaking the biggest story of the day. Subscribe to It’s Been A Big Day For… on your favourite podcast app.