Heroic Stewardesses to Women Wharfies: Australia’s Maritime Women

Diane Kirkby brings to light stories of women working in the maritime industry. In the 19th century, stewardesses were indispensable to women's travel, and being heroic was part of their job in times of shipwreck or war. By the 20th century, women were officers and engineers and driving cranes as wharfies on the waterfront.

Professor Diane Kirkby is an award-winning historian of women, work and the labour movement. She is the author of several books including, Barmaids: A History of Women's Work in Pubs.