Emma Miller (26 June 1839 – 22 January 1917) was an English-born Australian pioneer trade union organiser, suffragist, and key figure in organisations which led to the founding of the Australian Labor Party in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Early life

Miller was born on 26 June 1839 in Chesterfield, England, the eldest of four children born to Martha Holmes, née Hollingworth, and her husband Daniel. Her parents had strong Unitarian beliefs and were active in the Chartist movement. Leontine Cooper left to form the Women's Franchise League, alleging that the WEFA was too close to the labour movement which could hinder women's enfranchisement. Miller remained and was elected president. She held the position until 1905, when the organisation disbanded on the successful attainment of women's suffrage.

thumb|200px|right| Emma Miller statue in King George Square, Brisbane

Women were enfranchised under the Federal Electoral Act on 9 April 1902, becoming the first women of the world to win the right to vote for a national parliament. (Women in New Zealand won the right to vote in colonial elections in 1893). Members of the Women's Equal Franchise Association actively canvassed for the women's vote for the December 1903 Federal election, by forming the Women Workers' Political Organisation with Miller as president. After the Federal election Miller stood down as president, but became President of the Political Labour Council in Brisbane. Women were granted the vote for the Queensland parliament on 25 January 1905, although not the right to stand for parliament. The following year Emma Miller embarked on a tour of western Queensland under the auspices of the Australian Workers' Union, speaking at large public rallies and helping to form local branches of the Workers' Political Organisation and the Women Workers' Political Organisation. During the march, the women were charged by horse-mounted police with batons, and Miller thrust her hat-pin into the Police Commissioner's horse, causing the horse to throw him and injure him severely.

In August 1917 the Worker magazine published a poem in memorial to Miller. In 1922, a marble bust of her by James Laurence Watts was unveiled at the Queensland Council of Unions. A statue is located in King George Square in Brisbane, and there is also an Emma Miller Place located off Roma Street in Brisbane. In 1987 the Queensland Council of Unions established the Emma Miller Award, which is presented each year to women who have made an outstanding contribution to their union.

thumb|Bust of Miller held at [[Queensland Council of Unions]]

In 2003, Miller's life story was featured in the exhibition "A Lot on Her Hands", presented by the Australian Workers' Heritage Centre.

The electoral district of Miller created in the 2017 Queensland state electoral redistribution was named after her.

See also

  • History of feminism
  • List of suffragists and suffragettes

References

Further reading

  • Proud to be a rebel : the life and times of Emma Miller Pam Young (1991)