Women’s suffrage Petition 1891 - Public Records Office Vic

The 1891 Women's Suffrage Petition: A Milestone in Herstory

In 1891, a group of pioneering women, led by activists like Isabella Goldstein and her daughter Vida, launched a bold campaign to demand voting rights for women in Victoria. Over six weeks, they travelled across the state by train and on foot, gathering 30,000 signatures from women who believed that the right to vote was essential for improving their lives and the future of their children. Their goals included reforms such as changes to liquor laws, equal pay for women, a higher age of consent, better education, and more rights related to land ownership and divorce. As Vida Goldstein succinctly stated, “Because, to sum up all reasons in one – it is just.”

The petition they submitted to the Victorian Parliament in 1891 became known as the ‘Monster Petition,’ measuring 260 metres in length, making it the largest petition of its kind in the 19th century. Although it did not result in women winning the right to vote at that time, it highlighted the strength of the women’s movement and set the stage for future successes in the fight for gender equality. The petition also brought attention to the voices of countless women, who were often left out of traditional historical narratives, and served as an important record of their efforts to be heard and recognised.

The Legacy of 1891

The 1891 Monster Petition marked a defining moment in Victoria’s early women’s movement. It was a powerful demonstration of the determination and growing influence of women’s voices in the fight for equality. The petition’s legacy is significant because it gave visibility to the everyday women who contributed to this movement, many of whose efforts had previously gone unnoticed in history. The 1891 Petition remains a key part of the public art project HERstory, emphasising the importance of recognising the diverse contributions of women in shaping both local and national histories. It’s particularly notable in the context of the Mornington Peninsula, where Dromana gathered 46 signatures, along with two from Rye, contributing to this broader movement for change.

Aligning with the International Women’s Day 2025 theme, March Forward the 1891 Women’s Suffrage Petition serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing need to continue fighting for women’s rights. While progress has been made, it calls on us to reflect on what still needs to be done to achieve true gender equality, urging a renewed commitment to advancing the legacy of women who, like Vida Goldstein, paved the way for future generations to continue the fight for justice and equality.