This week, we look back in time to the remarkable Ellen Violet “Vi” Jordan (1913-1982) who was elected as Ipswich's first female Alderman in 1961 and in 1963 was the only female delegate at the LGAQ Annual Conference.
Ipswich Councillor Cheryl Bromage said was inspired by Mrs Jordan when entering politics herself.
She paved the way for us in Ipswich,” Cr Bromage said.
“As a girl I didn't realise what a remarkable lady she was. She was just the lady who gave us lollies.”
Here are some of her impressive achievements:
- She was an accomplished musician, qualifying as associate of the London College of Music and of the Trinity College of Music, London.
- At the beginning of World War II Vi Jordan was fiercely opposed to conscription and Australian support for the British at war. Nevertheless, she became secretary of the first aid and air raid precautions committee and president of the Ipswich civilian welfare committee for service women at the Royal Australian Air Force base at Amberley.
- She devoted time to a servicewomen’s hostel at Ipswich.
- In 1966, she became the first Labor woman elected to the Queensland Parliament (and the second woman elected to Queensland Parliament).
- Serving for three terms, during which the ALP was in opposition, Jordan engaged in the struggle for the rights of the working class and for political, economic and social equality for women.
- In 1966 she spoke in parliament in a grievance session advocating equal pay for women.
- She spent her parliamentary career fighting for the rights of the working class and for political, economic and social equality for women.
- She was appointed Member of the Order of Australia in 1976 for services to local government and the following year was awarded the Queen’s jubilee medal.
- She was president (1956-67) of the Labor women’s central organising committee, secretary (1958-65) of the Somerset executive committee and secretary of both the Somerset and Ipswich West ladies’ branches.
- In 1975 she was made a member of the Council of Queensland Women, set up to advise the State government on the status of women.
- She was appointed AM in 1976 and next year awarded the Queen’s jubilee medal.
- In recognition of her significant contributions to Queensland the recently created electoral seat of Jordan was named after her.