Irene Maud Longman (; 24 April 1877 – 29 July 1964) was an Australian community worker and politician. She was the first woman elected to the Parliament of Queensland, representing the Queensland Legislative Assembly seat of Bulimba from 1929 to 1932 as a member of the Country and Progressive National Party (CPNP).

Longman was born in Franklin, Tasmania, to a Christian minister; her brothers Percy and James were also members of parliament. She was educated in Sydney and trained as a kindergarten teacher, later moving to Queensland where she married Heber Longman. The couple settled in Brisbane where she became involved in various community organisations relating to education and women's rights. Longman served as state president of the National Council of Women from 1921 to 1924. She was elected to parliament at the 1929 state election with the support of the Queensland Women's Electoral League, but lost her seat after a single term when the CPNP suffered a landslide defeat in 1932. In parliament she concentrated on matters relating to women and children.

Early life

thumb|upright|Irene Longman at a young age

Longman was born on 24 April 1877 in Franklin, Tasmania. She was the daughter of Mary Alice (née Frencham) and James Molineux Bayley; her father was a Congregationalist minister. Her brothers Percy and James also served as members of parliament.

Longman was educated in Sydney, attending Sydney Girls High School and Sydney Church of England Girls' Grammar School. Longman was the first secretary of the Playground Association of Queensland and was a supervisor and trainer for the Crèche and Kindergarten Association. She served as president of the National Council of Women of Queensland from 1920 to 1924 and was later made a life member of the organisation. as is Longman Street in the Canberra suburb of Chisholm.

Later life

thumb|upright|Longman in 1950

Irene Longman died on 29 July 1964 in St. Andrew's Hospital in Brisbane and was privately cremated.

Media

Singer/songwriter Kelly Chase released the song "Sticks and Stones" to accompany the History Detective Podcast Episode Season 2, Episode 7: Irene Longman the First Woman in Queensland Parliament.

References

Further reading

  • — Irene Longman interview in 1953