Lilith: A Feminist History Journal

16/06/2026

Our next article spotlight is on ‘Feminising Social Credit’ by Simon Dowsett (Australian Catholic University, Australia) from Lilith: A feminist History Journal Number 31. This article tells the previously untold story of Lillie Beirne, an Australian Senate candidate, international public speaker and advocate for social credit, an economic and political movement of the interwar period. Here is an excerpt from Dowsett’s article:

“The shifting nature of women social creditors’ networks is evident in the company they kept and the causes they championed after WWII… the dividend offered a panacea to several established concerns of post-suffrage feminists between the wars—namely economic independence and freedom from the ravages of conflict and poverty—and was perfectly amenable to maternalistic rhetoric. But amid Cold War realignments, the subsequent trajectory of women social creditors could be unpredictable.” (pp. 49-50)

You can read the full article, available open access on ANU Press:

The 2025 Lilith presents four research articles focused on gender-based issues and experiences in twentieth-century Australia and Britain. The Australian-focused articles examine Lillie Beirne’s maternal feminism and related campaigns for social credit in the 1930s and 1940s, and how the ‘Citrus...

09/06/2026

The next article spotlight is on ‘Women ‘in Desperation’: Theorising Abortion during the British Liberalisation Campaign, 1960–67’ from Lilith : A Feminist History Journal, Number 31. This article, by Adam Boshier (independent scholar, UK), highlights the liberal, social, foetal health and therapeutic arguments for abortion in 1960s Britain, as they appear in the archives, publications and public testimonies of campaigners. Here is an excerpt from Boshier’s article:

“At the time of the Act [Abortion Act 1967], liberal social policy was often smeared by the Conservative Opposition as creating a ‘permissive society’ that would cause moral decline. ‘Abortion on demand’ was a phrase first used in the United Kingdom (UK) by anti-abortion campaigners and politicians who decried even the limited reforms of the Bill… while it failed in parliament, the liberal argument was present and persuasive in private discourse… vitally shaping how some medical professionals applied the law once it passed.” (pp. 16-17)

You can read the full article, available open access on ANU Press:

The 2025 Lilith presents four research articles focused on gender-based issues and experiences in twentieth-century Australia and Britain. The Australian-focused articles examine Lillie Beirne’s maternal feminism and related campaigns for social credit in the 1930s and 1940s, and how the ‘Citrus...

02/06/2026

As inspiration for the cover girl of the Lilith: A feminist History Journal Number 31, we are shining our first article spotlight on ‘Citrus Queens: Selling Produce, Place and Gender in 1960s Riverland Communities’ by Amanda Wells (University of Newcastle, Australia). Drawing on local newspapers, industry newsletters and oral histories, this article takes a deep dive into the politics of belonging through ‘The Riverland Citrus Queen’ competition of 1960s South Australia. Here is an excerpt from Wells' article:

“Many of the young women selected as queens were the daughters of migrant fruit growers and packing shed workers, and their role in promoting citrus to the broader public reinforced not just their individual assimilation, but also the collective presence of migrant families in shaping the region’s economy. This visibility, however, did not erase everyday social tensions; relationships between migrant and Anglo communities could be marked by moments of exclusion and prejudice…. For the Riverland Citrus Queens, rather than a straightforward process of assimilation, their participation and successes suggest a form of ‘soft assimilation’—one that sidestepped the totalising intentions of national policies by embedding migrant visibility within industry and civic life, rather than erasing their cultural and economic contributions.” (p. 89)

You can read the story of Anna DeVito, the 1961 Riverland Citrus Queen and the cover portrait for the 2025 edition of Lilith, in Wells’ article, available open access on ANU Press:

The 2025 Lilith presents four research articles focused on gender-based issues and experiences in twentieth-century Australia and Britain. The Australian-focused articles examine Lillie Beirne’s maternal feminism and related campaigns for social credit in the 1930s and 1940s, and how the ‘Citrus...

26/03/2026

Lilith: A Feminist History Journal: Number 31 is officially... PUBLISHED!

Lilith 31 is now available online with ANU Press. The 2025 edition includes an introductory commentary by members of the Lilith editorial board, four diverse research articles, and an array of book reviews. You can acess the full edition of Lilith 31 here: https://doi.org/10.22459/LFHJ.31

Across our socials over the next few weeks, we will be placing a 'Social Media Spotlight' on one of our four research articles on gender-based issues and experiences in twentieth-century Australia and Britain. We look forward to shining a light on the diverse world of research by emerging historians!

The 2025 Lilith presents four research articles focused on gender-based issues and experiences in twentieth-century Australia and Britain. The Australian-focused articles examine Lillie Beirne’s maternal feminism and related campaigns for social credit in the 1930s and 1940s, and how the ‘Citrus...

11/03/2026

Lilith: A Feminist History Journal: Number 31 is officially... 'Coming Soon' to ANU Press!

The dazzling face of the 2025 issue is a ‘Citrus Queen’ from the beauty pageants of South Australia’s Riverina region. She is featured in one of four Australian-focused articles in this issue, along with ten book reviews spanning diverse thematic terrain. For more detail on what's to come, see the ANU Press website. https://press.anu.edu.au/publications/journals/lilith/lilith-feminist-history-journal-number-31

Keep your eyes peeled (pun intended) for any updates on the upcoming release!

29/01/2026

In addition to our extended CFP our 2026 issue... We are on the look out for book reviewers! If you're interested in writing a review of any of the books listed, or have a book you'd like to suggest, email [email protected] by 13 Feb.

29/01/2026

DEADLINE EXTENDED!

We are happy to announce our CFP for our 2026 issue has been extended to 13 February 2026. If you are interested in getting your original research published in Lilith, now is your chance!

We are delighted to open our call for papers for our 2026 issue! In particular, we invite those who presented at the AWHN/Lilith symposium last week to consider turning their paper into a research article or reflection to contribute to the 2026 issue. As usual, we are also seeking original research articles on any Australian or international topic in the areas of women's, feminist, and gender history. Submissions and inquiries should be directed to [email protected]. CFP closes 30 January 2026.

03/12/2025

We are delighted to open our call for papers for our 2026 issue! In particular, we invite those who presented at the AWHN/Lilith symposium last week to consider turning their paper into a research article or reflection to contribute to the 2026 issue. As usual, we are also seeking original research articles on any Australian or international topic in the areas of women's, feminist, and gender history. Submissions and inquiries should be directed to [email protected]. CFP closes 30 January 2026.

21/10/2025

We're delighted to announce that we have a draft program for our upcoming joint symposium with the Australian Women's History Network AND that registrations for the symposium are open! The symposium runs over the 24th and 25th of November as part of the CHASS conference being at the University of Melbourne that week and we have a fantastic program lined up, including a plenary panel of former Lilith Collective members reflecting on the journal's 40th anniversary, a reception for all former Lilith members, a panel on the ‘Transformative Ambitions’ of women’s and feminist histories, and another plenary panel on ‘Speaking Out: Indigenous and Palestinian Solidarities'. Don't miss what is sure to be a memorable symposium!

Registrations close 3 November!

Registrations link: https://events.humanitix.com/nurturing-feminist-histories

Draft program available here:https://www.auswhn.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Draft-Program-6-October-1.pdf

28/05/2025

We are delighted to announce the details of our 2025 symposium - a celebration of the 40th anniversary of Lilith in collaboration with the Australian Women's History Network. Hosted by the University of Melbourne over 24-25 November, the two-day symposium is centred around the past, present, and future of feminist history, and we encourage speakers to engage with Lilith's extensive back catalogue.

Our CFP is also now open for the symposium - submissions are due COB 29 August 2025. Please note all speakers must be AWHN members.