Georgina Sweet - Women's Rights Advocate

Women's Rights Advocate

Sweet was a vigorous supporter of women's rights. She campaigned to have women on the University Senate and outside university her interests involved participation in national and international bodies promoting women's rights. Sweet was Australian president of the Young Women's Christian Association, 1927–1934; vice-president of the world YWCA from 1934; she was also foundation member of the Victorian Women Graduates' Association and in 1930 became the first president of the Pan-Pacific Women's Association.

Sweet enjoyed travel and made a journey overland from Cape Town to Cairo with Australian historian Jessie Stobo Watson Webb in 1922. She also traveled widely in Asia. When she died in 1946 she willed her estate to the Methodist church, the university and other charitable organisations. Some of her bequest to the University was used to establish the Georgina Sweet Bursary which provides funds to a student of sufficient academic merit who is in special need of financial assistance.

Sweet was appointed Officer of The Order of the British Empire on 3 June 1935, for services to women's movements. The Australian Federation of University Women offers an annual scholarship for Australian women undertaking postgraduate studies named in her honour.