Reclaiming Domestic Labor

 

Women's Vital Contributions to the Home and Community

The domestic labour traditionally performed by women—such as needlework, sewing, cooking, laundry, and lacework—was essential to sustaining households yet deeply shaped by gender, class, race, and, at times, colonialism. Despite its fundamental role in maintaining families, communities, and economies, this work was often undervalued and erased from historical narratives, particularly for women in marginalised communities. HERstory: Women of the Mornington Peninsula reframes these acts of domestic labour, recognising their personal and collective significance while acknowledging the intersecting identities that shaped women’s experiences.

Historically, domestic labour was seen as an extension of women's "natural" role within the home. While this expectation applied across social classes, its impact varied significantly. For working-class women, these tasks were often full-time, physically demanding, and inescapable due to financial constraints. In contrast, upper-class women frequently relied on the unpaid or underpaid labour of women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, reinforcing class, racial, and gender hierarchies.

The devaluation of women’s domestic work reflects broader societal structures in which gender norms and labour divisions were both gendered and racialised. Though often dismissed as unskilled or mundane, women’s contributions within the home were vital to household survival and economic stability. Yet, this labour was frequently rendered invisible, despite its foundational role in both private and public life.

Through the lens of intersectionality, we can see that women of different races and classes experienced domestic labour in nuanced ways that reflect broader power structures. Recognising this intersectionality within the context of Herstory allows for a more inclusive and holistic view of history, one that acknowledges the diversity of women’s experiences and challenges the dominant narratives that exclude or marginalise the contributions of women. By incorporating these feminist, intersectional perspectives into the public art project, we can amplify the voices of those who have historically been overlooked, honour the complexities of their labour, and advocate for a more equitable and just understanding of women’s roles throughout history.

 

Above Image 1 Credit: Balnarring & District Historical Society     Above Image 2: Hastings & Western Port Historical Society

Above Images Credit: Hastings & Western Port Historical Society

 

Above Images Credit: Sorrento Museum & Nepean Historical Society