Ahern, Lizzie (1877–1969)

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Ahern, Lizzie (1877–1969)

Australian socialist. Born Elizabeth Ahern in Ballarret, Victoria, in 1877; died in 1969; daughter of an Irish goldminer and a radical; married Arthur Wallace (a radical, later a Member of Parliament), in 1905; children: a son.

Lizzie Ahern left school at 14 and went to work as a pupil-teacher, then as a cook in Melbourne. By 1905, she was a member of the Social Questions Committee (forerunner of the Victorian Socialist Party). An eloquent orator, she was a conspicuous member of the Free Speech Campaign in Prahra, Melbourne, and was imprisoned in 1906 for defending the right to speak in public places. In 1909, Ahern founded the Women's Socialist League; she and her husband also led the anti-draft campaign during World War I. Despite the couple's activities, their son enlisted, contracted disease, and died while in uniform. In later life, Ahern worked for the Australian Labour Party. She also became a justice of the peace and a children's court magistrate.