Euphemia Bridges Bowes

1816 (age 84)

Edinburgh

This Union was the first to adopt the cause of female suffrage in Australia. Bowes was president from 1885-1892, and remained active until her death eight years later. She felt that giving women voting rights would be an excellent means of establishing control over the sale and consumption of liquor. Bowes used contacts from her time in rural districts to set up new regional unions. Thanks to her substantial contribution to the movement, Bowes was voted honorary life president in 1893. Bowes was also a productive campaigner for a variety of measures to decrease alcohol consumption in the colony. She had success in the development of licensing restrictions and the limitation of Sunday trading. Despite vigorous campaigning, she was unable to ban the use of barmaids. Some of her other contributions include practical programs such as a home for inebriate women, which was opened in 1892. In 1886, Bowes was one of five women who founded a ladies" committee as an offshoot of the New South Wales Social Purity Society. As part of their agenda to promote morality in the colony, the committee secured several pieces of legislation to better protect women. Bowes was able to help with the elevation of the age of consent from 14 to 18.

Euphemia Bridges Bowes

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Background

Euphemia Bridges Allen was born in Edinburgh in 1816 to Joseph and Eliza Allen.

Career

This Union was the first to adopt the cause of female suffrage in Australia. Bowes was president from 1885-1892, and remained active until her death eight years later. She felt that giving women voting rights would be an excellent means of establishing control over the sale and consumption of liquor.

Bowes used contacts from her time in rural districts to set up new regional unions.

Thanks to her substantial contribution to the movement, Bowes was voted honorary life president in 1893. Bowes was also a productive campaigner for a variety of measures to decrease alcohol consumption in the colony.

She had success in the development of licensing restrictions and the limitation of Sunday trading. Despite vigorous campaigning, she was unable to ban the use of barmaids.

Some of her other contributions include practical programs such as a home for inebriate women, which was opened in 1892.

In 1886, Bowes was one of five women who founded a ladies" committee as an offshoot of the New South Wales Social Purity Society. As part of their agenda to promote morality in the colony, the committee secured several pieces of legislation to better protect women. Bowes was able to help with the elevation of the age of consent from 14 to 18.

Membership

Bowes was a driving member of the Woman"s Christian Temperance Union, which was founded in 1882.

Personality

She was regarded as a powerful and engaging speaker.

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