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Jane Aarons (1874–1941)

This article was published:

Jane Aarons, 1932

Jane Aarons, 1932

National Archives of Australia, A6119:106

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. 

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

Additional Resources and Scholarship

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

Related Entries in NCB Sites

view family tree

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 15 March 2025.

© 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 or Descriptor
Key Organisations
Political Activism