Mothers, women, teachers

Posted on in General

Girls sewing with visiting mums 1910

The role of mothers hasn’t changed over time but the roles of women and laws relating to their employment have. It’s hard to believe that only 80 years ago the Married Women (Lecturers and Teachers) Act, NSW, 1932 was introduced. This meant that all married women teachers in NSW had to resign or be dismissed. The Canberra Times on 18 August 1932 estimated that 1200 women would be affected. The Act was introduced to help provide employment for freshly graduated student teachers.

The image shows girls in a needlework lesson in 1910 being observed by their mothers. Girls had weekly sewing lessons in preparation for their role as wives and mothers. (Image sourced from Dept of Education Eighty to Eighties Teaching Resource, 1980)