The Working Women’s Trades Union (WWTU) of South Australia was formed in January 1890. On 15 March 1890 Mary Lee wrote to The Observer congratulating the United Trades and Labor Council on forming the Working Women’s Trades Union and suggesting
‘Let us hope that the Trades and Labor Council will follow up their generous action by fighting for women the battle of the ballot’.
Adelaide Observer, 22 March 1890
Many changes took place in the twentieth century, spurred particularly by the Second World War. Due to the global conflict women moved into working roles previously occupied by men. This social change encouraged further consideration for women’s rights at work and led to the amendments of various Acts that forced women to resign when they married.
State Library of South Australia, PRG 1491/24/52
