“Teachers are the most important people in our early lives,” said journalist, author and feminist Anne Summers when she spoke to the 130 women that gathered at this year’s SSTUWA Women’s Conference. 

“However, it is because of the important role we play that she believes we also have an obligation to effect change beyond the classroom.”  The theme of the conference was Making Our Voices heard: Now and Into the Future. 2011 celebrated the 100th year of international Women’s Day.

Anne recounted the many changes which have been made over the past four decades, in relation to women, but warned us that “While there is much to celebrate, there is also plenty of unfinished business.”

Her recollections of her involvement in the negotiation of Sex Discrimination legislation back in the early 80s provided us with a great lesson on getting our voices heard in order to effect change.  Whilst there was a great deal of debate amongst feminists around whether there should be exemptions included in the legislation, the women’s movement mostly agreed that it was better to firstly get the legislation passed.  Then we could fight to have it changed later, rather than to have nothing at all, and this is exactly what happened right up until the present day.  A lesson which could be well learned by those feminists in the US where the argument over exemptions has meant that they have nothing at all.

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Anne believes that as teachers we are uniquely placed to influence the next generation and that we have an obligation to raise such issues in our classrooms.  It is upon us to “….continue to forge our way into the world, tackling obstacles as we encounter them, tearing down barriers, setting examples, blazing trails, encouraging others and – most of all – standing shoulder to shoulder in support of those women who are on the frontline, be that in business, in the military, in the academy, in the union movement or in politics”.

She discussed the political changes that have occurred in our history, and the many changes that still need to be made, as a woman will earn nearly one million dollars less than a man, in her working life she said.

Anne was particularly concerned with the realm of the current childcare policy.

In Australia, childcare is so expensive that it often outweighs the parent’s income earned for the time spent in care, some are lucky to break even. In other countries childcare is either free or very affordable.

In this respect it’s unfortunate to see that Australia is a first world country that is so far behind.

Anne also talked about how far apart the milestones have been and how hard feminists have had to struggle for even the slightest changes eg the very recent legislative change getting rid of the spousal tax rebate.

“… We have to support the women who have taken on the hard and often lonely task of leading the way.  We expect them to lead us into a better future. In return, we owe them. Let's never forget that”.

Women  also heard from CEO of the Bernie Banton Foundation Karen Banton, Federal Member for Fremantle Melissa Parke and Television comedian Catherine Deveny - all influential women.

Federal MP for Fremantle, Melissa Parke was a former senior lawyer in the United Nations.

Melissa spoke of her UN work in Kosovo and Gaza, highlighting the deplorable attitudes against women, the death she had witnessed on the streets of the third world countries, women and children trafficking, and her near death experiences during the countless bombings.

She noted the discrimination against equal pay, but also mentioned other countries are still fighting for Women’s basic human rights.
 
CEO Karen Banton shared with member’s an  insight into her heroic fight in supporting her beloved husband Bernie Banton during the years he suffered asbestos related diseases, until his death in 2007.

Bernie became famous for his passionate fight against James Hardie for justice on behalf of asbestos disease sufferers and their families.

He worked tirelessly to make significant changes. Since his death, Karen has carried on his legacy in an effort to eradicate exposure and educate others on the deadly material – a woman making changes today.

The amusing TV comedy writer, comedian, author and social commentator Catherine Deveny, brought some humour to the room.

She shared with us the You Tube video Beyonce- Run the World (LIES)

“Yes we have come a long way, but we have a long way to go,” said Catherine.

Read Anne Summers' Address To SSTUWA Women's Conference