Portrait of Augusta Zadow

Augusta Zadow
27 August 1846 - 7 July 1896

Augusta Zadow was an advocate for women's rights in the workplace and became South Australia's 'First Lady Inspector of Factories' in 1895. She was a woman ahead of her time, with many of the working conditions women enjoy today attributable to her advocacy.

She became an advocate for women working in clothing factories and was a major contributor to the establishment of the Working Women's Trades Union in 1890 and was a delegate to the United Trades and Labour Council of South Australia.

An outspoken supporter of women's suffrage, following the franchise of women in South Australia in 1894 she was appointed as a factory inspector to monitor working conditions for women and children.

Augusta is buried in the West Terrace Cemetery. Her gravestone was built with 1,000 threepenny subscriptions from factory workers.

In recognition of her work, SafeWork SA's Augusta Zadow Awards can help you meet the costs of a work health and safety initiative that benefits working women, research or further education.

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