Blackburn, Doris Amelia (1889–1970)

views updated

Blackburn, Doris Amelia (1889–1970)

Australian civil-rights activist, peace campaigner, and politician. Born Doris Amelia Hordern, Sept 18, 1889, in Auburn, Victoria; died Dec 12, 1970; dau. of Louisa Dewson (Smith) and Lebbeus Hordern; attended Hessle School; m. Maurice Blackburn (lawyer and Labor Party politician), Dec 1914; children: 2 sons, 2 daughters (1 died in infancy).

Joined husband's efforts against conscription and war (1914); served as president of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (1928–30); was a member of the Free Kindergarten Movement and retained a lifelong interest in pre-school education; wrote for newspapers and journals; as an independent Labor candidate, elected to Parliament (1944), where she focused on women's rights, social and family welfare, and opposition to the testing and use of guided missiles; was defeated for re-election (1949); helped establish Aboriginal Advancement League, which evolved into Federal Council for Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.

About this article

Blackburn, Doris Amelia (1889–1970)

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article