Assumed but rarely documented: women’s entrepreneurial activities in late nineteenth century Australia

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Author(s)
Strachan, Glenda
Henderson, Lindy
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2005
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Women's paid work and economic contribution to the household and national economy were seldom recognised in public documents in the second half of the nineteenth century in Australia. The discourse of women's role within the house and family was dominant. In this paper we attempt to uncover women's entrpreneurial activities in small businesses in a country town. Women's roles in the hospitality and retail industries are examined and we conclude that, whether through economic necessity or individual preference and choice, women were essential to the financial success of these businesses.Women's paid work and economic contribution to the household and national economy were seldom recognised in public documents in the second half of the nineteenth century in Australia. The discourse of women's role within the house and family was dominant. In this paper we attempt to uncover women's entrpreneurial activities in small businesses in a country town. Women's roles in the hospitality and retail industries are examined and we conclude that, whether through economic necessity or individual preference and choice, women were essential to the financial success of these businesses.
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Conference Title
The Past is Before Us: The Ninth National Labour History Conference
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2005. The attached file is posted here with permission of the copyright owners for your personal use only. No further distribution permitted.For information about this conference please refer to the publisher's website or contact the authors.