Marie Coleman

Marie Yvonne Coleman (née Burns), AO PSM, (born 1933) is an Australian feminist, social activist, public servant and journalist. She was the first woman to head an Australian national statutory authority. She spent over 60 years campaigning against the gender pay gap and other social injustices.[1]

Early life

Coleman was born in Dubbo to John Alexander Burns and his wife Kathleen (née Nunan). Her father worked for the NSW Railways and the family moved frequently throughout her childhood requiring her to change schools many times. Coleman went to the University of Sydney in 1950, studying economics and politics for an Arts degree, then completed a diploma in social studies. She was editor of the student newspaper, Honi Soit and member of the University's Student Representative Council.[2]

Career

She was appointed and held the position of chair of the National Social Welfare Commission by the Whitlam Government in 1972-1975 – the first woman in Australia to head a national statutory authority.[3][4]

In 1989 Coleman was a founding member of the National Foundation for Australian Women and an active participant in the Australian Women's Archives Project.[4]

Following her retirement from the Australian Public Service in 1995, Coleman became a columnist with the Canberra Times until 2003. One of her earliest jobs had been as reporter for the social pages of the Daily Telegraph in Sydney.[2]

Awards and recognition

Personal

In 1956 Coleman married James Harry Coleman, of Melbourne, Victoria. They had three daughters.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Honours for Marie Coleman". Economic S4W. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Coleman, Marie Yvonne (1933- )". The Australian Women's Register. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "National Social Welfare Commission (1972-1975)". The Australian Women's Register. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Our Champions - Marie Coleman AO PSM". National Foundation of Women. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  5. ↑ "COLEMAN, Marie Yvonne". Australian Honours Research Facility - Dept of Prime Minister & Cabinet. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  6. ↑ "COLEMAN, Marie Yvonne". Australian Honours Search Facility - Dept of Prime Minister & Cabinet. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "Victorian Honour Roll of Women 2017 - pdf" (PDF). Victoria.gov.au. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  8. ↑ "ACT Senior Australian of the Year 2011". Australian of the Year Awards. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  9. ↑ "COLEMAN, Marie Yvonne". Australian Honours Search Facility - Dept of Prime Minister & Cabinet. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
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