Jessie Street National Women'S Library

Vale. It is with great sadness we report that Marie Muir passed away last night in Perth. Marie was a long time Board member till 2013 of Jessie Street National Women’s Library. She was Vice Chair from 2006- 2009 and Chair in 2011. She convened the Annual Luncheon organising committee and was an energetic and entertaining MC at the event for many years. Her bursts into Judy Small’s song “A Heroine of Mine” at the Luncheon always lifted our spirits. Warmth, inclusiveness an...d an ability to make all feel comfortable and welcome in the Library, was her personal style. She insisted on democratic decision-making, having learnt this from her many years of activism in the NSW Teachers’ Federation and a distinguished teaching career ending as Principal of Granville South Primary School. She will be remembered with affection and great respect as a committed feminist and a passionate supporter of public education. Vale Marie Muir
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Indigenous women have always held cultural knowledge and cultural authority. Culture is life. #HistoryWeek18 Image is from our poster collection. It was made by Garage Graphix for the IWD Aboriginal Women's Working Party

https://oralhistoryvictoria.org.au/senior -oral-history-app…/ Congratulations to Dr Shirleen Robinson!

History Week: Life and Death. Women's bodies, women's lives: contested territories and narratives. Once again we dive into the Collection with our feminist lens. We acknowledge and celebrate women who have fought and continue to fight, in all spheres of life, with determination, resilience, strength, wit, compassion, intelligence and courage. #HistoryWeek18
... Image from Rouge: Australian Feminist Newspaper no.5
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Congratulations to Michelle de Kretser, winner of the Miles Franklin Literary Award for the second time for her novel, The Life to Come. http://www.abc.net.au/…/miles-franklin- literary-aw…/10160170

The Library, in partnership with Women Lawyers Association of NSW, is hosting an event on 27 September as part of The First 100 Years project. For more information and to book, check this out.

Last week Mehreen Faruqi from the NSW Greens became the first Muslim woman to be appointed to the Senate. Coincidentally, she also is the 100th woman to be a Senator. Only took 75 years from when Dorothy Tangney became the first woman Senator. We just have to keep fighting.

August's lunch hour talk is from Vindu Maharaj about her book, 'Cultural Prison, a Daughter’s Worth'.
Vindu’s novel was inspired by the author’s observation of how unfair life was for girls born within her culture. Set in Fiji in the 1970s to 1980s, this book starts with an invitation to a Hindu wedding; following the journey of a young educated girl with a promising career facing an arranged marriage and suffering domestic violence. Will she be able to save herself and what ...happens when she gives birth to a girl? Hence, what is a daughter’s worth?
For more information go to nationalwomenslibrary.org.au/participate/ lunch-hour-talks/
For catering purposes, please RSVP to the Library by email or phone by Monday 13 August.
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The Annual Fundraising Luncheon is sold out. Thank you to our members and supporters for this great result. A waiting list has been set up in case of cancellations. If you want to be on the waiting list, please phone or email the Library.

Happy birthday to Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC, Aboriginal elder and activist. Lowitja has lived a life of public service for her people and the Australian community. Her achievements are set out in the The Lowitja Institute’s biography.
https://www.lowitja.org.au/our-patron

Congratulations to Wendy Tuck, the first woman to win the Clipper round the world race. Nearly 12 months on the ocean - that's incredible.

The July newsletter profiles the history of the Library’s Tapestry project. June’s lunch hour talk by Suzanne Falkiner is reported along with the 21st Sydney Biennale in which the Library played a significant role. The Library pays tribute to Sir Laurence Street, Jessie Street’s son and Library Patron who died on 21 June. The newsletter can be found at nationalwomenslibrary.org.au/newsletters/
The mailed newsletter to members includes an Annual Luncheon booking form and raffle tickets. This is the Library’s major fundraiser so please be generous. If you are not a member, contact the Library for raffle tickets. Great prizes.
If you are intending to come to the Annual Luncheon, make sure you get your booking in soon. A wonderful speaker and a wonderful topic.

Tonight at 8 pm on ABC, Anh Do is painting Gill Hicks, peace campaigner, London bombing survivor and last year's inspiring guest speaker at the Jessie Street National Women's Library Annual Luncheon. Not to be missed.

"The daily activism of a school librarian can seem quiet, but it can also be an earthquake, even at its most subtle: we are calmly plotting the revolution behind our library desks. As librarians, we have a responsibility for taking a stance against discrimination, and advocating for justice and equality – at their core, libraries are about building community and enhancing opportunities for all."

The Monthly article worth reading about Michele's background.

Congratulations to Michele O'Neil who has been elected President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. Michele joins Sally McManus, who has been re-elected ACTU Secretary.

Sydney Theatre Company's production of 'The Harp in the South', Ruth Park's best known novel, runs from 16 August. Tim Curnow, her literary agent, reminisces on Ruth's legacy in this article.

Check the JSNWL for yourself: their latest activities appear on their Facebook page. The superb collection is mainly for research purposes. I cannot recommend this Library highly enough. Feminists, Lefties and academics will feel very much at home in the friendly ambience of this volunteer - run joint ...the lunch hour talks held on the 3rd Thursday of every months are unfailingly fascinating, and the sandwiches are scrumptious. The Annual Fundraising Luncheon in September is an orgy of intellect, gourmet food,and splendid wines, not to be missed.

Check the JSNWL for yourself: their latest activities appear on their Facebook page. The superb collection is mainly for research purposes. I cannot recommend this Library highly enough. Feminists, Lefties and academics will feel very much at home in the friendly ambience of this volunteer - run joint ...the lunch hour talks held on the 3rd Thursday of every months are unfailingly fascinating, and the sandwiches are scrumptious. The Annual Fundraising Luncheon in September is an orgy of intellect, gourmet food,and splendid wines, not to be missed.