‘She Shapes History’ Finds Australia’s Forgotten Women

By: Laura Bennett

When we learn about Australia’s history oftentimes it centers on notable political figures – the men statues are made of – and business folk who laid the foundations of colonised Australia.

However, nestled between some of our more iconized figures and moments are many women who, mostly without recognition, quietly set about serving their communities and shaping history themselves.

In 2021 Sita Sargeant intended to be working in foreign policy, but the pandemic grounded her in Canberra where an Australian policy role saw her engaging with Australian history for the first time.

“It was so much more interesting than anyone ever told me,” Sita said.

“Then I found myself asking that question, ‘[where] are the women?’

“I started looking for women’s stories – and they weren’t hard to find – they were just never pictured as main characters in the story of Australia.”

Sita’s curiosity led her to start weekly walking tours about the women who’d shaped the area, starting in Canberra and then expanding her research to the rest of the country.

“Women who were problem solvers in their local community,” Sita said.

“Who ran small businesses, who ran charities, who showed up and founded things – they’re the women who rarely get recognised as shaping history.

“Even though that is shaping history.

“You don’t have to go to parliament house, [you] can do a lot in shaping the culture where you live.”

In She Shapes History Sita’s compiled a series of walking trails spanning the country, following the footsteps of women who influenced the particular region.

From the first Aboriginal woman to speak on radio in NSW, to women in Adelaide who helped build the Lutheran church and entrepreneurs who ran many of Australia’s pubs, She Shapes History honours forgotten handiwork of so many.

“Who we recognise historically says so much about who we respect today,” Sita said.

“Learning about so many stories, particularly of women of colour, left me feeling a lot more connected to Australia.

“I went from being someone who always saw myself as leaving [Australia] to someone who wants to make this country better.

“I want to shape history here, and I think that’s because I feel a connection to history.”

Sita Sargeant’s book She Shapes History is out now.