Image from Exquisite Bodies exhibition at Wellcome Collection, London
As part of History Week 2018, Melissa Holmes will explore the process and progress of life and death for women in the early days of the colony of New South Wales.
Women bore the heavy burden of breeding in a burgeoning colony obsessed with population growth. However, in a pre-industrial society, pregnancy and childbirth were fraught with peril. Infant and maternal mortality rates were brutal.
By the end of the nineteenth century, the odds of a young woman dying in childbirth was one in 32. Until then, childbirth had been ‘secret women’s business’ but, to preserve lives and the future of the colony, the process became paternalized and medicalised.
When: Saturday 8 September, 3.00pm-4.00pm
Where: Phillips Foote (upstairs), 101 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000
Cost: Free – No bookings required.
Contact: melissamholmes99@gmail.com
Hosted by Melissa Holmes
Dear Melissa,
Hello, if there happens to be another one of your programs regarding womens struggles like this I would love to hear about where and when to go, Thank You …
I only seen this page looking for anatomical models and took me to this page…Bugger three months too late!!
Dear Jean,
Thank you for your interest in this event, we’re sorry you didn’t see it in time! Keep an eye on our ‘What’s On’ Page and feel free to sign up to our newsletter where we regularly advertise our member’s events, including Melissas.
All the best,
The History Council of NSW team.