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How can we expand public knowledge and integrate the legacies of these pioneering women into our civic education?

The problem:

Public awareness of the contributions of trailblazing women lawyers to Australian society remains limited. While high school students and teachers engage with civics and citizenship education, they often lack exposure to these women’s stories and their relevance to key themes in the Australian curriculum.

Our research:

• Explored the contributions and experiences of trailblazing Australian women lawyers, highlighting their influence on law, society and gender equality.
• Conducted over 50 in-depth oral history interviews, now part of the National Library of Australia’s oral history collection, preserving their legacies for future generations.
• Created the online exhibition Australian Women Lawyers as Active Citizens, showcasing the diverse roles these women have played in shaping Australia’s legal and civic landscape.

Our impact:

• Ensures the stories of trailblazing Australian women lawyers are recognised, valued, and integrated into broader discussions of leadership, justice, and gender equality.
• Highlights how these women have embodied active citizenship, shaping Australia’s legal, policy, and civic landscape through their contributions.
• Provides curriculum materials and interactive learning resources developed in partnership with the National Library of Australia to engage students with the exhibition Trailblazing Women Lawyers.

We explored the contributions and experiences of trailblazing women lawyers, highlighting their impact on law, society, and gender equality.