Brown ,Edith Dircksey

1861 - born in Western Australia. 

1868 - lost her mother

1876-Her adolescence was shattered by the ordeal of her father's trials and  hanging for the murder of his second wife at the same year .

1879 -married to James Cowan.

 1890 -her husband appointment as Perth police magistrate ,which gave them permanent social and economic security and gave her an insight into the wider society's social problems.

 1890- became involved in voluntary organization.

  between 1880 and 1891-had  four daughters and a son.

1894- was the Karrakatta Women's Club's first secretary ,and later vice-president and president.

1891- worked with the Ministering Children's League.

 1894-worked in the House of Mercy for unmarried mothers (Alexandra Home for Women)

 1906- was foundation member of the Children's Protection Society.

1907- The society was instrumental in the passing of the State Children Act, which set up the Children's Court.

 1909- day nursery for working mother's children,and at the same year ,she was an initiator of the Women's Service Guild and was vice-president .

1911- was prominent in the creation of the Western Australian National Council of Women.

between 1913 and 1921-was president of  the Western Australian National Council of Women.

1915-was among the first women appointed to its bench.

1916-was a foundation member of Co-Freemasonry in her State, and the first female member of the Anglican Social Questions Committee .

1917-was  resigned.

1920-early woman justice of the peace and she took on a wide range of war work for which she was appointed O.B.E.

1921- legislation ended the legal bar to women entering parliament and was one of five women candidates .

1923- was a co-opted member of synod.

between 1903 and 1912- went overseas  and 1912 to Britain and Europe.

1924- elections West Perth business interests stood a strong candidate in T. A. L. Davy.

 1925-went to the United States of America as an Australian delegate to the sixth convention of the International Council.

1926- was a founder of the (Royal) Western Australian Historical Society .

1927-She failed again.

1929- was active in planning the State's  centenary celebrations.

1932- she died  and was buried in the Anglican section.