Patricia Giles
Encyclopedia
Patricia Jessie Giles AM
(née White) (born November 16, 1928) is a women's activist and former Australia
n Senator
. She was the President of the International Alliance of Women
for three terms, the last ending in 2004.
A qualified nurse, she founded the Women's Electoral Lobby
branch in Perth
in 1973. She also returned to study as graduated Bachelor of Arts
in 1974. She later became an organizer for the Hospital Employees Union of Western Australia, and she was the first woman on the executive of the West Australian Trades and Labor Council. In 1981 she was elected as an Australian Labor Party
Senator for Western Australia. During her twelve years as a senator she was active in issues related to women, she led the Australian delegation to the United Nations Decade for Women meetings in the 1980s.
Following her retirement from politics in 1948, she continued to be active in women's rights, serving three terms as president of the International Alliance of Women.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(née White) (born November 16, 1928) is a women's activist and former Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n Senator
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
. She was the President of the International Alliance of Women
International Alliance of Women
The International Alliance of Women is a non-governmental, feminist organization, which embraces both women’s groups and individuals. The basic principle of the IAW is that the full and equal enjoyment of human rights is due to all women and girls....
for three terms, the last ending in 2004.
A qualified nurse, she founded the Women's Electoral Lobby
Women's Electoral Lobby
WEL is credited with major achievements for women in Australia in relation to anti-discrimination and equal opportunity legislation, equal pay decisions, the funding of women’s and children’s services.....
branch in Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
in 1973. She also returned to study as graduated Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1974. She later became an organizer for the Hospital Employees Union of Western Australia, and she was the first woman on the executive of the West Australian Trades and Labor Council. In 1981 she was elected as an Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
Senator for Western Australia. During her twelve years as a senator she was active in issues related to women, she led the Australian delegation to the United Nations Decade for Women meetings in the 1980s.
Following her retirement from politics in 1948, she continued to be active in women's rights, serving three terms as president of the International Alliance of Women.