People Australia

  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites

Browse People:

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

Susan Wilcox (1867–1951)

This article was published:

Susan Wilcox (also known as Willcox) (1867-1951), clerk and trade union official 

Birth: 1867 at Bowenfels, New South Wales, daughter of English-born parents William Wilcox or Willcox (1825-c.1901), an engineer, from Exeter, Devon, and, née Boulton, late Robinson (1827-1901), from Frampton Cotterell, Gloucestershire. Unmarried. Death: 23 September 1951 in Lewisham hospital, Petersham, Sydney, NSW; usual residence at Brown Street, Paddington, Sydney. Religion: Anglican. 

  • Was probably the Susan Wilcox who was secretary of the women's section of the Amalgamated Journeymen Tailors' Association (NSW) (the Order Tailoresses’ Union) from 1906 and was appointed to a seat on the Wages Board representing the Order Tailoresses in November 1908 — reputedly “the first appointment of a lady to a seat on a Wages Board” in NSW.
  • A member of the Paddington Labor League (Australian Labor Party) in 1911-1912 at least and a delegate to the Wentworth Federal Labor Council until July 1912.
  • Appointed organising secretary of the Tailors' & Tailoresses' Union (NSW) in January 1916; sometime organiser of the NSW Branch of the Federated Clothing Trades Union (FCU). Was appointed assistant-secretary of the NSW branch of the FCU in 1917.
  • Resigned female organiser's position in 1920 and was not replaced.
  • Listed in electoral rolls as either Wilcox or Willcox living at Darlinghurst or Paddington, occupation “home duties” in 1930-1949.
  • Cause of death: haematemesis (2 days), peptic ulcer (2 years) and myocardial degeneration (10 years).

Sources
Bradon Ellem, In women’s hands? A history of clothing trades unionism in Australia (Sydney, 1989).

Additional Resources and Scholarship

Citation details

'Wilcox, Susan (1867–1951)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/wilcox-susan-35098/text44268, accessed 17 April 2026.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Willcox, Susan
Birth

1867
Bowenfels, New South Wales, Australia

Death

23 September, 1951 (aged ~ 84)
Petersham, 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.

Occupation or Descriptor
Key Organisations
Political Activism