The book offers for the first time an insight into the lives of Australia's pioneering female politicians from 1921 to 2001, including the first Members of Parliament, first Ministers and first Heads of Government.

No Ordinary Lives spans eighty-six years of Australian political history, from the election of Edith Cowan, the first female MP, to Anna Bligh, the first female Premier of Queensland. Every woman has a remarkable story to tell, and for some it is the first time their story has been told.

Contents: Federal Parliament p5: Members of Parliament: Dame Enid Lyons MHR and Senator Dorothy Tangney p7. Dame Enid Lyons p11. Queensland p21: Member of Parliament: Irene Longman p23. Minister: Yvonne Chapman p30. Premier: Anna Bligh p36. New South Wales p45: Member of Parliament: Millicent Preston Stanley p47. Minister: Janice Crosio p54. Australian Capital Territory p63: Members of Parliament: Ros Kelly, Susan Ryan, and Maureen Worsley p65. Susan Ryan p66. Ros Kelly p 75. Maureen Worsley p83. Chief Minister and Minister: Rosemary Follett p87. Victoria p95: Member of Parliament: Lady (Millie) Peacock p97. Minister: Pauline Toner p104. Premier: Joan Kirner p111. Tasmania p147: Member of Parliament: Margaret McIntyre p121. Minister: Gillian James p126. South Australia p131: Members of Parliament: Jessie Cooper MLC and Joyce Steele MLA p133. Minister: Joyce Steele p 141. Western Australia p147: First Member of Parliament: Edith Cowan p149. First Minister: Florence Cardell - Oliver p157. First Premier: Carmen Lawrence p 163. Northern Territory p171: Member of Parliament: Lyn Berlowitz p173. Minister: Noel Padgham p179. Chief Minister: Clare Martin p188.
Includes bibliographical references.