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Jane Aarons (1874–1941)

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Jane Aarons (1874-1941) political activist

Born: 2 August 1874, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A. Married: Louis Aarons, boot repairer. They had one son and three daughters. Died: 3 April 1941, Glenhuntly, Melbourne, Victoria. Secular humanist.

  • Immigrant from New York. Victorian Socialist Party (VSP) activist
  • also member of Women's Political Association & Militant Propagandists of the Labour Movement.
  • Represented VSP at April 1916 peace conference with R.S. Ross.
  • November 1918, arrested for displaying Red Flag at Yarra Bank meeting.
  • 1920, foundation member of Melbourne Branch of Communist Party of Australia (CPA).
  • 1926, visited London and Ceylon to support independence for Ceylon and other British colonies.
  • Children — Sam, Annette, June, Miriam, and grandchildren — Laurie and Eric were also active in the CPA. 

Joy Damousi, Socialist Women in Australia, c.1890-c.1918, PhD thesis, ANU, 1987; The Bulletin, 9 Feb. 1963; information from J. Damousi 1991 and Judith Klepner. 2003.

Additional Resources

  • death notice, Argus (Melbourne), 4 April 1941, p 4
  • ASIO file, B2455, item 106 (National Archives of Australia)

Citation details

'Aarons, Jane (1874–1941)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/aarons-jane-23453/text32516, accessed 28 March 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Jane Aarons, 1932

Jane Aarons, 1932

National Archives of Australia, A6119:106

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Hyams, Jane
Birth

2 August, 1874
New York, New York, United States of America

Death

3 April, 1941 (aged 66)
Glenhuntly, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation
Military Service
Key Organisations
Political Activism