People Australia

Beddie, Mary (1857-1933) shopkeeper, Labor Party activist 

Birth: 17 December 1856 at Carcoar, New South Wales, daughter of William Beddie, labourer, and Mary Scott, formerly McMillan. Both parents had been born in Wigtonshire, Scotland. Unmarried. Death: 16 July 1933 at Croydon, Sydney. Religion: Presbyterian. 

• Foundation member of Australian Labor Party, Surry Hills (Sydney), where she ran a small shop - 'the rendezvous of many earnest Laborites'.
• Keenly interested in the movement for women’s adult franchise.
• In 1907-1913 was president, Domestic Workers' Union.
• Foundation member of ALP’s Women's Central Organising Committee where was a sometime opponent of Kate Dwyer.
• Claimed responsibility for inclusion of 'Full Citizen Rights for Women' clause in ALP platform.
• ALP Senate candidate in 1915.
• Strong advocate of industrial education and penal reform. In 1928 formed Howard Prison Reform League and visited gaols in Scotland and Europe.
• Connected with Women Justices’ Association.
• Cause of death cerebral thrombosis.
• Her considerable estate, sworn at £2213, was distributed to charity and political causes and her library bequeathed to Sydney Trades Hall.
  

Sources
Australian Worker, 4 November 1915, 31 August 1916, 4 April 1928; Labor Daily, (Sydney), 18 July 1933, p.4; Sydney Morning Herald, 29 December 1933, p.5; Westralian Worker, 26 January 1934.