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Mary Ann Grant (1862–1936)

This article was published:

Grant, Mary Ann, née Kearney (Mrs John) (1862-1936) Labor activist 

Birth: 1862 at Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, daughter of Bernard Kearney, labourer, and May, née Cohen. Marriage: 14 May 1884 at Riley Street, Sydney, New South Wales with Congregational forms to John Grant (1857-1928), stonemason, later Australian Senator. They had one son. Death: 14 July 1936 at her home at Annandale, Sydney. Religion: Presbyterian. 

  • Joined Rozelle branch of Political Labor League when women were admitted. She was the only female member of the Rozelle League from Annandale section of electorate. Delegate of Rozelle League to Annual Conference of the Australian Labor Party.
  • A founder of the Labor Women's Central Organizing Committee. Worked with others for securing the return to office of Mr J. B. Mercer in 1907.
  • Keen interest in Labor and social issues. Regularly attended parliament and public meetings.
  • Cause of death: chronic myocarditis and senility.
  • Husband John Grant was a member of ALP executive 1905-15 and general secretary.

Sources
Information from S. Tracey 1997; Worker (Wagga), 21 January 1905 p 7.

Additional Resources and Scholarship

Citation details

'Grant, Mary Ann (1862–1936)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/grant-mary-ann-31936/text39398, accessed 28 April 2025.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Mary Ann Grant, 1905

Mary Ann Grant, 1905

Worker (Wagga, NSW), 21 January 1905, p 7

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Kearney, Mary Ann
Birth

1862
Sheffield, Yorkshire, England

Death

14 July, 1936 (aged ~ 74)
Annandale, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

heart disease

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.

Key Organisations
Political Activism