History
Our Founders
On 19 May 1892, nineteen women met to form The Sydney University Women’s Association (SUWA) — the foundation of what would become Graduate Women NSW.
Two remarkable women led this movement.
Louisa MacDonald BA MA
(1858–1949)
Louisa MacDonald BA MA
(1858–1949)
- First President of SUWA (1892)
- First Principal of The Women’s College
- Advocate for women’s participation in university governance
- Linked to the Womanhood Suffrage League of NSW
Louisa was a classics scholar from University College London and a strong public advocate for women’s education and civic participation.
Jane Foss Russell BA MA
(1863–1937)
- Co-founder of SUWA
- First Tutor to Women Students at the University of Sydney
- Pioneer in science and mathematics education
- Leader in the National Council of Women NSW
Jane was one of the most brilliant early women graduates in Australia, distinguished in chemistry, physics and mathematics at a time when few women studied science.
She later became the second President of SUWA.
Jane Foss Russell BA MA
(1863–1937)
Tom Anderson
Developer
Tom Anderson
Developer
Layla Jenifer
Manager
Paul Harrison
Accounts
Tom Anderson
Developer
Tom Anderson
Developer
Layla Jenifer
Manager
Paul Harrison
Accounts