Background
Holden was born and raised in Portuguese Fairy, where her father was an auctioneer.
Holden was born and raised in Portuguese Fairy, where her father was an auctioneer.
She was educated at Methodist Ladies" College in Melbourne.
She was involved with the Red Cross for 26 years from 1914 and with numerous other charities. Following Sir Alexander Peacock"s death in 1933, Robert Menzies encouraged Lady Peacock to stand in the by-election for her husband"s seat of Allandale. She did so reluctantly and during her campaign she was in mourning from her husband"s death and made no speeches.
She retired from politics at the end of her term in 1935, saying that, "is no place for a woman.".
She was elected and was sworn in as the first woman member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly on 21 November 1933.