In her gift: activism and altruism in Australian women's philanthropy 1880-2005

This thesis explores Australian women philanthropists' contributions to social causes and public institutions from 1880 to 2005. It highlights how, despite colonial wealth generation primarily by men, a significant number of women leveraged family resources for philanthropic ends, driven by religious faith and women's activism. The study notes the distinctive Australian context, where energetic women's associations emboldened exceptional giving. It traces the expansion of women's involvement in philanthropy, mirroring social changes like political citizenship and workforce participation, leading to their unprecedented presence in the "third sector" by 2005.