A century ago Jessie Lady Street walked these very streets. This plaque commemorates her tireless fight for equality. Born in India Jessie moved to Australia as a child. She studied at the University of Sydney excelling in sports. She captained the women’s hockey team. She was a founding member and president of the Sydney University Women’s Sports Association.
Jessie’s passion extended beyond sports. She became a leading feminist. She championed women’s rights tirelessly. She advocated for equal pay and an end to discrimination. She worked in London at a settlement helping disadvantaged women and children. Back in Sydney she married Sir Kenneth Street. She continued her activism. She served as president of the United Associations of Women.
Jessie’s influence reached far beyond Australia. She attended international conferences. She lobbied for women’s rights globally. She was instrumental in adding the word ‘sex’ to the United Nations Charter. She secured equal eligibility for men and women in the UN. She was Australia’s first representative on the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
Her fight for justice extended to Indigenous Australians. Jessie worked tirelessly for constitutional change. She helped remove discriminatory references to Aborigines. Her efforts led to the successful 1967 referendum.
Jessie’s commitment to peace was unwavering. She worked with the League of Nations. She advocated for nuclear disarmament. She traveled extensively promoting peace and understanding. She even disguised herself to work in a munitions factory during World War II to understand working conditions firsthand.
Jessie Lady Street’s legacy is profound. This plaque serves as a reminder of her impact. It honours her fight for justice for women and Indigenous peoples. It stands as a symbol of her unwavering commitment to equality and peace. It is a tribute to a woman whose life and work continue to inspire. Let us remember her legacy. Let us carry the torch of equality and peace forward.