'I felt a great pride and emotion when I read the stories of your women and their role, of their first hesitant steps to the picket line, with their desire to be an integral part of the struggle, not merely bystanders, but right amongst the action of the struggle. They have certainly proved that by their action early last week, when deep in snow, they closed the Freeport Gates. This was the act of courageous and dedicated women.'
An organiser in the Maritime Union of Australia, Ina spoke of the successful waterfront strike against the shipowners and the Menzies Conservative government 40 years ago that week.
'It also brings back memories of the role of the Dockers Women's Committee in Australia who took part in the great historic struggles of the waterfront in 1954 and 1956.They too were hesitant about the picket line, but once there, they were a force to be reckoned with. They were not only defending their husbands, their way of life, but the union and labour movement as a whole.
They were active on all committees, speaking at factory gates, on publicity committees, organising welfare just as WOW are now doing!
TV was not a medium in those days, but the press and radio never let up on the wharfies, 'the lazy bludgers, the drunks, the malingerers'. Every time these parrots of the Menzies Government raised their slanderous treachery against the wharfies the women were there, pounding on the doors of editors and journalists. Many an editor felt the wrath of our women as they stormed the headquarters of these papers, demanding apologies for attacks on decent working men.
I am sure you will agree that no one should underestimate the power, the tenacity and dedication of women to a cause. It is reflected in all their endeavours, from the home to the factory floor, to the picket line.'
