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{{Short description|Australian feminist and communist activist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Barbara Lindsay Curthoys
| birth_name = Barbara Lindsay McCallum
| birth_date = {{birth date|1924|06|21|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Grafton, New South Wales|Grafton]] [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2000|09|28|1924|06|21|df=y}}
| allegiance = {{flag|Australia}}
| branch = {{air force|Australia}}
| battles = Second World War
| relations = [[John McCallum (Australian politician)|John McCallum]] (father)
}}

'''Barbara Lindsay Curthoys''', ''née'' '''McCallum''' (21 June 1924 – 28 September 2000) was an Australian feminist and communist activist.
'''Barbara Lindsay Curthoys''', ''née'' '''McCallum''' (21 June 1924 – 28 September 2000) was an Australian feminist and communist activist.


She was born in [[Grafton, New South Wales|Grafton]] to [[John McCallum (Australian politician)|John McCallum]], later a [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]] senator, and Eda, ''née'' Lockwood. In 1932, following her parents' divorce, she moved to Sydney, attending Canterbury Primary School and Fort Street Girls' High School. She joined the [[Communist Party of Australia]] after leaving school, and in [[World War II]] served in the [[Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force]] as a wireless telegraphist. In 1944 she married Geoff Curthoys, with whom she had two daughters, [[Ann Curthoys|Ann]] and [[Jean Curthoys|Jean]]. The family moved to [[Broken Hill]] in 1946.<ref name=WomensRegister>{{cite web|last=Henningham|first=Nikki|title=Curthoys, Barbara|work=Australian Women's Register|url=http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE1026b.htm|year=2004|accessdate=10 February 2013}}</ref>
She was born in [[Grafton, New South Wales|Grafton]] to [[John McCallum (Australian politician)|John McCallum]], an English and History teacher at Grafton High School and later a [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]] senator, and Eda, ''née'' Lockwood who studied to become a special needs teacher. In 1930 her mother was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In 1932, following her parents' divorce, she moved to Sydney, attending Canterbury Primary School where she was dux and Fort Street Girls' High School. Her marks weren't high enough to win a scholarship to university. She joined the Ashfield branch of the [[Communist Party of Australia]] after leaving school, and in 1942 during [[World War II]] served in the [[Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force]] as a wireless telegraphist. In 1944 she married Geoff Curthoys, with whom she had two daughters, [[Ann Curthoys|Ann]] and [[Jean Curthoys|Jean]]. The family moved to [[Broken Hill]] in 1946.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Ryan|first=Lyndal|date=2001|title=Obituary, Barbara Curthoys: Communist Activist and Researcher|url=https://search.informit.com.au/fullText;dn=200110996;res=IELAPA|journal=Labour History|volume=80|pages=227–229|via=Informit}}</ref><ref name=WomensRegister>{{cite web|last=Henningham|first=Nikki|title=Curthoys, Barbara|work=Australian Women's Register|url=http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE1026b.htm|year=2004|accessdate=10 February 2013}}</ref>


In 1953 Curthoys and her family moved to [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], where she became a full-time organiser for the Communist Party. She joined the local branch of the [[Union of Australian Women]] in 1954, becoming secretary from 1954 to 1960 and serving on the national body in 1960, 1963 and 1970. She was also secretary of the Newcastle Trades Hall Council Equal Pay and Aboriginal Advancement committees during the 1960s and helped found the Newcastle Peace Forum. She was one of nine NSW Communist Party of Australia candidates for the 1963 Federal Election, standing for the seat of Shortland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Commonwealth of Australia Legislative Election 30 November 1963|url=http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/a/australia/1963/1963repsnsw.txt|website=Adam Carr's Election Archive|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
In 1953 Curthoys and her family moved to [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], where she became a full-time organiser for the Communist Party. She joined the local branch of the [[Union of Australian Women]] in 1954, becoming secretary from 1954 to 1960 and serving on the national body in 1960, 1963 and 1970. She was also secretary of the Newcastle Trades Hall Council Equal Pay and Aboriginal Advancement committees during the 1960s and helped found the Newcastle Peace Forum. She was one of nine NSW Communist Party of Australia candidates for the 1963 Federal Election, standing for the seat of Shortland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Commonwealth of Australia Legislative Election 30 November 1963|url=http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/a/australia/1963/1963repsnsw.txt|website=Adam Carr's Election Archive|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>


Having returned to academia she graduated with honours in Psychology in 1973, working at Stockton Hospital until 1982. In 1990 she was the first Australian invited to use the recently opened [[Comintern]] archives, and in 1991 she received the Peggy Hill Peace Award for service to world peace. She retired to [[Manly, New South Wales|Manly]] in 1993 and died in 2000.<ref name=WomensRegister/>
Having returned to academia she graduated with honours in Psychology in 1973, working at Stockton Hospital until 1982. In 1990 she was the first Australian invited to use the recently opened [[Comintern]] archives. She and co-author Audrey McDonald wrote book together on the a history of the [[Union of Australian Women]], ''More Than a Hat and Glove Brigade''.<ref name=":0" /> In 1991 she received the Peggy Hill Peace Award for service to world peace. She retired to [[Manly, New South Wales|Manly]] in 1993. This same year, she was [https://livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/104932 interviewed about her life] by historian Margaret Henry. Barbara died in 2000.<ref name=WomensRegister/>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Feminism}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Curthoys, Barbara}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Curthoys, Barbara}}
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:2000 deaths]]
[[Category:2000 deaths]]
⚫
[[Category:Australian communists]]
[[Category:Royal Australian Air Force personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Royal Australian Air Force personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Australian feminists]]
[[Category:Australian feminists]]
⚫
[[Category:Australian socialist feminists]]
[[Category:Communist Party of Australia members]]

Latest revision as of 01:56, 15 February 2024

Barbara Lindsay Curthoys
Birth nameBarbara Lindsay McCallum
Born(1924-06-21)21 June 1924
Grafton New South Wales, Australia
Died28 September 2000(2000-09-28) (aged 76)
Allegiance Australien
Service/branch Royal Australian Air Force
Battles/warsSecond World War
RelationsJohn McCallum (father)

Barbara Lindsay Curthoys, née McCallum (21 June 1924 – 28 September 2000) was an Australian feminist and communist activist.

She was born in Grafton to John McCallum, an English and History teacher at Grafton High School and later a Liberal senator, and Eda, née Lockwood who studied to become a special needs teacher. In 1930 her mother was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In 1932, following her parents' divorce, she moved to Sydney, attending Canterbury Primary School where she was dux and Fort Street Girls' High School. Her marks weren't high enough to win a scholarship to university. She joined the Ashfield branch of the Communist Party of Australia after leaving school, and in 1942 during World War II served in the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force as a wireless telegraphist. In 1944 she married Geoff Curthoys, with whom she had two daughters, Ann and Jean. The family moved to Broken Hill in 1946.[1][2]

In 1953 Curthoys and her family moved to Newcastle, where she became a full-time organiser for the Communist Party. She joined the local branch of the Union of Australian Women in 1954, becoming secretary from 1954 to 1960 and serving on the national body in 1960, 1963 and 1970. She was also secretary of the Newcastle Trades Hall Council Equal Pay and Aboriginal Advancement committees during the 1960s and helped found the Newcastle Peace Forum. She was one of nine NSW Communist Party of Australia candidates for the 1963 Federal Election, standing for the seat of Shortland.[3]

Having returned to academia she graduated with honours in Psychology in 1973, working at Stockton Hospital until 1982. In 1990 she was the first Australian invited to use the recently opened Comintern archives. She and co-author Audrey McDonald wrote book together on the a history of the Union of Australian Women, More Than a Hat and Glove Brigade.[1] In 1991 she received the Peggy Hill Peace Award for service to world peace. She retired to Manly in 1993. This same year, she was interviewed about her life by historian Margaret Henry. Barbara died in 2000.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Ryan, Lyndal (2001). "Obituary, Barbara Curthoys: Communist Activist and Researcher". Labour History. 80: 227–229 – via Informit.
  2. ^ a b Henningham, Nikki (2004). "Curthoys, Barbara". Australian Women's Register. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  3. ^ "Commonwealth of Australia Legislative Election 30 November 1963". Adam Carr's Election Archive. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
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