Honouring the contributions and resilience of war widows in Australia
On International Women’s Day, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible achievements and resilience of women throughout history. One such inspiring story is that of Jessie Vasey CBE OBE and the Australian War Widows Guild, an organisation that has supported and empowered war widows for over 79 years.
The legacy of Jessie Vasey
Jessie Vasey CBE OBE was a woman who, with many others, stood against gender bias and created a legacy for this generation of women to carry forward. She championed progress for an inspirational and resilient group of women in Australia. Our organisation has existed for over 79 years this year. Over this time, we have continued to support women impacted by war and grown to support those beyond the first definition of a war widow.
The story of the Guild is a powerful story of women helping women.
The impact of the world wars on war widows
Immediately after World War II, many war widows were left adrift, often voiceless and suffering economic hardship. Jessie Vasey established the War Widows Guild in 1945 with the mission to promote and protect the interests of war widows in Australia.
Empowering and supporting war widows
Jessie understood the value of a pressure group when lobbying the government. She believed that if war widows were to improve their economic status, they needed to be united. The Guild brought companionship and friendship to many lonely war widows, helping them navigate grief and loss.
Creating a community of support
The social clubs established by Jessie became a lifeline for war widows. These clubs provided a sense of belonging and sisterhood, dispelling loneliness and fostering an environment of mutual support. War widow clubs were established all over regional and country NSW and beyond.
Standing up for war widows’ rights
The War Widows Organisation fought for a group of women who were not adequately supported by the government. They challenged social norms that dictated grieving should be done behind closed doors and advocated for the continuation of financial support for women and children left behind by wars.
A legacy of strength and resilience
Our President, Queen Dunbar, described her early days as a war widow, emphasising the support and camaraderie she received from other war widows. This unspoken understanding and deep sense of belonging have been instrumental in helping war widows navigate their loss.
Inspiring future generations
Jessie Vasey’s tenacity and legacy continue to inspire us today. Our organisation stands as one of Australia’s most inspirational, empowering, and forward-thinking organisations. It is a place where we can learn from the generations of women who came before us, preserving and honouring their legacy.
Supporting veteran families
Our CEO Renee Wilson shared her experience of caring for her veteran, highlighting the importance of the support provided by war widows she has met through the Guild. Our Board Chair, Tricia Hobson, also praised the remarkable achievements of these women, emphasising their extraordinary resilience and strength.
International Women’s Day 2025
On 8 March 2025, for International Women’s Day, we will reflect on the achievements of the women who came before us. We will celebrate their stories, continue making progress, and work towards creating change for women around the world.
Conclusion
Let’s celebrate each other, our common achievements, and the stories of all the women on whose shoulders we stand today. To the women before us: we thank you. May we continue the work you have done, stand up against gender bias, and keep the legacy of women like Jessie Vasey alive.
