Edith Dircksey Cowan's Biography

Edith's Timeline

• 1861             Born in Western Australia
• 1868             Lost her mother
• 1876             By the ordeal of her father's trials 
• 1879             Edith married to James Cowan 
• 1880-1891   They had four daughters and one son 
• 1890             Gave her an insight into the wider society's social problem
• 1890s           Became involved in voluntary organizations
• 1891             Worked with the Ministering Children's League
• 1894            The House of Mercy for unmarried mothers
• 1894            The Karrakatta Women's Club's first secretary
• 1903             Went to Britain and Europe
• 1906             Member of the Children's Protection Society 
• 1909             The Women's Service Guild 
• 1911             Was prominent in the creation of the Western Australian National Council of                              women
• 1913             Was its president
• 1915             Was among the first women appointed to Children's Court
• 1916             Opening of the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women
• 1961             Was a foundation member of Co-Freemasonry in her State
• 1917             Was vice-president
• 1920             Was appointed O.B.E.
• 1923             The Women's Legal Status Act
• 1924             She lost her election
• 1925             Went to United States of America
• 1926             Was a founder of the (Royal) Western Australian Historical Society
• 1927             She lost her election again 
• 1929             Was active in planning the State's centenary celebrations
• 1932              She died