June 2018: Social Justice Activists Birthdays

Millicent Fawcett
June 11, 1847 - August 5, 1929 

A feminist and suffragette form the United Kingdom, Fawcett was a founder of the biggest suffragette organization known as National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS). Her philosophy was non-violent and her work ethic was a key to her success. Fawcett advocated for the right to vote for all women worldwide, but for women to be educated and treated fairly in the workplace. It is her writings and speeches that have made her world famous, in which argued for the rights deserved by herself and all women. 

Charles Perkins
June 16, 1936 - October 18, 2000 

An aboriginal from Australia, Perkins lived through a time where people of the aboriginal lineage could not move around the country freely. This blatant discrimination left Perkins with a bitter resolve and used his fame as a football player (soccer) to achieve civil rights for aboriginals. He served as a leading member of what was called the “Freedom Ride” that lead to amendments to the Australian Constitution and placed aboriginals on the census. However, Perkins kept his disdain for white Australians that kept to their racist tendencies. With that in mind he is well renowned for his work even after his death.  

Jeannette Rankin
June 11, 1880 - May 18, 1973

The first woman to be elected to the United States Congress, she started from the bottom of the political barrel to one of the highest position of power that any woman in the United States had achieved during her time. She began her political career as a social worker aid, from there became a lobbyist for the suffragette movement in the United States, and in 1916 was elected to the House of Representatives. While her career in congress was filled with ridiculed for her pacifistic nature she was a source of inspiration for women to strive for higher political power.