People Australia

Jean or Jane Bessant, née Mackay also known as Jean Besant (1883-1952) cashier and political activist

Birth: 12 December 1883 in Brisbane, Queensland, daughter of Scottish-born parents John Mackay (1832-1900), shipwright, and Annie Campbell, née Manson (1861-1893). Marriage: 10 February 1922 in Registrar General’s Office, Sydney, to fellow Communist activist Bernard Bob Bessant (1893-1941). Death: 30 October 1952 in Brisbane, Queensland. “had no religion” 

• Active in the struggle against conscription in 1916 and 1917.
• Joined the Communist Party of Australia in 1920 and remained an active branch member until her death.
• In 1931 toured Queensland as organiser for workers’ international relief and with her husband on behalf of the Militant Minority Movement.
• Organised women against evictions in east Sydney and to petition for a fair rents court in 1938. Contributed to the Workers’ Weekly (Sydney) and Tribune.
• In Sydney in January 1939 attended recruiting meetings to urge enlistees to overthrow the Australian government. In 1940 spoke at anti-conscription rallies.
• Member of the Federated Ironworkers’ Women’s Auxiliary.
• Moved from Newcastle back to Queensland after her husband’s death in 1941. Worked as a food process worker.