Migrant Women in the Workforce:
Oral History Series for Radio
Documenting the contribution of migrant women to Australian working life.
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The ten programs in this series have been produced by migrant women community broadcasters from around Australia. They tell the stories of migrant women in all kinds of workplaces from the factory floors to the courtrooms of Australia. Some of the women who tell their stories are refugees, others came on special migration programs. |
The programs deal with the experience of coming to a new country, learning a new language and trying to gain recognition of overseas qualifications and experience. You will hear about migrant women's struggles against barriers as they moved into non-traditional work to become lawyers and bus drivers.
You'll hear stories of the establishment of cake shops in 'little Italy' Sydney, the Great Canberra Laundry strike of 1987 and about migrant women in the health industry. From the Woolen Mills of Geelong to the sex industry the series offers a diverse view of migrant women's work experiences in Australia.
The series provides an insight into experiences of migrant women to which most of us have never been exposed. Audio excerpts of the series are available below in mp3 file format. You will need Realplayer or a similar audio player installed on your computer to hear them.
The series is 10 x 30 minute programmes and are produced in English. Get audio introduction 289k.
The series was produced by the National Ethnic & Multicultural Broadcasters' Council (NEMBC) with the support of the National Council for the Centenary of Federation Fund. For more information Ph 03 9486 9549 or email nembc@nembc.org.au
Programme Descriptions
1. Italian Cake Shop
This is the story of Carmela Mezzapica, who came to Australia from a small Island in the south of Italy, and together with her husband Angelo started the first Italian cake shop in Leichhardt in what became known as Sydney's Little Italy. audio 468k
2. On the Buses
Jan Wehipeihana and Tearani Roberta Cohen are Maori women from Ateoroa (New Zealand). Jan left school at 15 to take up an apprenticeship in the rag trade before moving to Australia in 1976. Tearani worked in an office before deciding to become a truck driver. Both women are now part of a growing team of women bus drivers. audio 241k
3. Between Worlds
The experience of migrant women in the workforce Traces the paths of Eugenia Castro and María Cabellos Yañez from Latin America to their current home, Australia. Eugenia is a political refugee from El Salvador, while María escaped the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile. They tell of their experiences learning English, raising a family, studying and working in Australia. audio 401k
4. Migrant Women in the Sex Industry
Dela Pon, from Thailand, was an outworker in the garment industry in Melbourne but she could not earn enough to support her family so she became a sex worker. Weng Morales from the Philippines, is one of the increasing numbers of women trafficked all over the world for the purposes of prostitution. audio 233k
5. Migrant Women in the Australian Legal System
Explores how three working class women from migrant backgrounds managed to beat the odds by entering the legal profession. Senior solicitor Nicky Nicoulaou, solicitor Meryem Apak and Deputy Chief Magistrate Jelena Popovic tell their stories. audio 415k
6. The Great ACT Laundry Strike of 1987 and how the women won!
Chilean refugee Elba Cruz tells the story of a strike by laundry workers, which changed the lives of all the women involved. audio 267k
7. Migrant Women in the Arts
Dondu Akbhati and Samia Mikhail are two migrant women who are carving out a place for themselves within Australia's cultural life. Dondu has worked on theatre and multimedia projects while Samia is a film maker. audio 260k
8. Migrant Women in the Health Industry
Profiles 3 professional women in the health industry - Dr Alka Kothari is an obstetrician and gynecologist; Carmen Ceñal is currently working as a renal nurse and Francesca Mumme is a radiographer. All three work at the Alice Springs hospital. audio 294k
9. In the Woolen Mills
Skaidrite Liepina and Inga Peerson both worked at the Federal Woolen Mills in Geelong. Like many migrant women in the 1950's, arriving by assisted passage, Skaidrite had to complete her two-year commonwealth work contract at the Mill. audio 259k
10. Overcoming Stereotypes
The stereotypes, which apply to African women, rarely include a masters degree. Sophia Poppe from Tanzania has a masters degree and she talks about her experience of finding work in Adelaide. Dania Abdullah from Bosnia-Herzegovina talks about her experience in the workforce as a Muslim woman who wears hijab. audio 286k