Five intrepid women: Foundation members of the Historical Society of Queensland

Ninety-nine members joined the Historical Society of Queensland when it was formed in 1913. Of those only five were women: Mrs T Holder Cowl, Miss A Gray, Mrs Lumley Hill, Miss C Petrie, and Mrs WC Thomson. Who were they and what stories do they tell about the role of women at the time? It is surprising that not many women joined because there were some extremely able women who looked for intellectual and creative activities. They included wives of men who were foundation members and they were writing articles and essays using historical themes so it would not have been because of lack of an interest in history.