Iola Mathews is a former Age journalist, author, and a founder of the Womens Electoral Lobby. Later she worked at the ACTU as an industrial officer and advocate, specialising in womens employment, for which she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal. She was the advocate in the parental leave case and equal pay cases for child care workers and clerical workers. More recently, she established writers studios in the National Trust property Glenfern in East St Kilda. She lives in Melbourne with her husband, Dr Race Mathews.
Iola Mathews has written a fascinating insider account of how she battled for major reforms for women, especially during her time at the ACTU, where she won landmark cases on parental leave and wage justice for child care and clerical workers. It is so important to know the stories behind these historic victories. -- Anne Summers Iola's story shows what can be achieved when passionate people commit to changing the rules and fighting for fairness. Her story shows the best qualities of the union movement - people working to make life better for others and to pursue equality and fairness. -- Sally McManus