WEL : Women’s Electoral Lobby [ 1972 – ]
| OVERVIEW | |
| Full name of organisation | Women’s Electoral Lobby |
| Short name / acronym | WEL |
| Short description | In 1972, Melbourne academic Beatrice Faust convened feminists to discuss Gloria Steinem’s article in Ms. Magazine, sparking the formation of a women’s lobby group. This initiative extended to Sydney, where Caroline Graham, June Surtees, and Wendy McCarthy co-founded the Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL) in NSW. WEL quickly attracted diverse members, predominantly women in their early thirties with professional careers, fostering a network based on trust and political skill development. Despite facing criticism and political obstacles, WEL steadfastly advocated for gender equality. Today, WEL remains a prominent force in Australian politics, dedicated to advancing women’s rights and equality. It is frequently referenced in parliamentary debates, media reports, and academic studies. |
| Start date | 1972 |
| Organisation type | Community Group |
| Thumbnail or Logo | |
| Location (places) | Cairns, QLD, Australia [ Administrative.City ] |
| Rockhampton, QLD, Australia [ Administrative.City ] | |
| Townsville, QLD, Australia [ Administrative.City ] | |
| URLs | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/134420041?searchTerm=%22Women%27s%20Electoral%20Lobby%22 |
| https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/126164685?searchTerm=%22Women%27s%20Electoral%20Lobby%22 | |
| https://www.wel.org.au/ | |
| https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110954605?searchTerm=%22Australian%20Federation%20of%20Business%20and%20Professional%20Women%22 | |
| https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/116406187?searchTerm=%22Australian%20Federation%20of%20Business%20and%20Professional%20Women%22 | |
| Group Affiliation(s) | Gender / Sexuality |
| Co-founder | Faust, Beatrice |
