Time line Cowan

Cowan, Edith Dircksey (1861–1932)

 2 August 1861
 was born  at Glengarry near Geraldton, Western Australia

 in 1868
her mother died in childbirth 


in 1876
Her adolescence was shattered



On 12 November 1879 
Edith married James Cowan


In  1890s
Edith Cowan became involved in voluntary organizations


 1880- 1891.
Edith and James  had four daughters and a son


 in 1894 
she was the Karrakatta Women's Club's first secretary and later vice-president and president.


1891-1894
She worked with the Ministering Children's League  and the House of Mercy for unmarried mothers (Alexandra Home for Women)

in 1903
she went overseas  to Britain and Europe

in 1906
A foundation member of the Children's Protection Society

in 1907
The society was instrumental in the passing of the State Children Act

in 1909
she pioneered  day nursery for working mother's children

in 1909 
Cowan was an initiator of the Women's Service Guild


In 1911 
she was prominent in the creation of the Western Australian National Council of Women

 in 1912
she went overseas  to Britain and Europe

 in 1915
She was among the first women appointed to its bench


 in 1916
she led finally to the opening of the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women

 in 1916
She was a foundation member of Co-Freemasonry in her State  and the first female member of the Anglican Social Questions Committee


 1917 
she was vice-president
in 1920
she was an early woman justice of the peace


In the 1921
Cowan was one of five women candidates

  1913-1921 
 she was its president and vice-president until her death


in 1923
 she was co-opted member of synod
in 1923 
The Women's Legal Status Act, which she introduced  as a private member, opened the legal profession to women

 In the 1924
she elections West Perth business interests stood a strong candidate in T. A. L. Davy. A Labor candidate and the continuing conflict between the two major women's organizations further depleted her support and she lost


 in 1925
she went overseas  to the United States of America as an Australian delegate to the sixth convention of the International Council

in 1926
Cowan was a founder of the (Royal) Western Australian Historical Society

in 1927
She failed again

in 1929
She was active in planning the State's  centenary celebrations

on 9 June 1932
she died  and was buried in the Anglican section of Karrakatta cemetery