Wendy Michaels on NSW's first female MP Millicent Preston Stanley: "How Dare She"

How did a play help to transform child custody laws?

On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Wendy Michaels OAM to tell the story of conservative feminist trailblazer Millicent Preston Stanley MP. A tireless campaigner for both Australian liberalism and women's rights, who weaved a remarkable career as an activist, parliamentarian, journalist, performer and even playwright.

Dr Wendy Michaels OAM has had a distinguished career as an academic, educator, consultant, writer, and festival director. Before her retirement she was a lecturer in the School of Humanities at the University of Newcastle. Wendy’s awards include an Order of Australia Medal for services to women and to the dramatic arts, a National Council of Women Award for Promoting the Status of Women, a JEDA Award for Drama Writing, Honorary Life Membership of Drama NSW for service to Drama in Education, and the Minister for Education Award for Excellence in Tertiary Teaching. She has published poetry, plays and stories for children and numerous articles and books. Her latest is A Battle-axe in the Bear Pit: Millicent Preston Stanley MP.

ZZABNIZT5GJVMUJT