• Entry type: Organisation
  • Entry ID: AWE0171

International Women’s Year National Advisory Committee

(From 1974 – 1976)

Summary

The federal government (Whitlam) appointed the International Women’s Year National Advisory Committee to oversee the distribution of government funding for projects between 1974 and 1976 associated with the United Nations-proclaimed International Year of Women (1975). Australia’s activities for the International Year of Women were also supported by a secretariat under Elizabeth Reid, the women’s advisor to the Prime Minister. Reid also convened the committee. Membership included Ruby Hammond, Irene Greenwood, Caroline Jones, Margaret Whitlam and Shirley Castley.

The committee attracted criticism from some activists in the Women’s Liberation movement over spending priorities. However, seed and grant funding assisted the development of many important organizations and publications including the Working Women’s Centre and Dr Kay Daniels’s Women in Australia An Annotated Guide to Records.

Published resources

Archival resources

  • National Archives of Australia, National Office, Canberra
    • National Advisory Committee files, single number series with 'W/NAC' (Women's/National Advisory Committee) or 'NAC' prefix
  • Fryer Library, The University of Queensland
    • Ephemera relating to International Women's Day

Related entries


  • Presided
    • International Women's Day (1928 - )
  • Chaired by
    • Reid, Elizabeth Anne (1942 - )
  • Member
    • Whitlam, Margaret Elaine (1919 - 2012)
    • Macintosh, Laurel Jean (1924 - )
  • Sponsored
    • Daniels, Kay (1941 - 2001)
  • Related Events
    • Migrant Women Workers Project (1974 - 1975)
  • Related Organisations
    • Australian-Migrant Women's Association (1974 - 1990)