Women’s History Month: Dubbo’s ‘inspirational’ activist
LEADING Indigenous activist Pearl Gibbs will always be remembered as a woman who made a difference.
Born Pearl Mary Gambanyi in La Perouse in 1901, Mrs Gibbs was working as a domestic servant at Potts Point when the trajectory of her life would change forever.
Remarkable Women of the Central West author Karlyn Robinson said it was while working at Potts Point that she would become aware of young Aboriginal girls who had been removed from their homes and indentured as domestic servants by the Aboriginal Protection Board.
“Her leading cause was women and children,” Ms Robinson said.
“She was born in Sydney but came and settled in Dubbo in the 1950s.
“She did a lot of good things for Aboriginal women and did a lot of campaigns.
“(In 1960), Pearl established a hostel in Dubbo for Aboriginal people who had to travel a long distance for medical care (at Dubbo Hospital) and needed somewhere to stay.”
After marrying Englishman Robert Gibbs in 1923, Mrs Gibbs had two sons and
a daughter.
The start of her activism career saw her stand alongside other prominent Aboriginal leaders, when she took part in the Day of Mourning protest on January 26 1938.
“She then went on to work for the Aborigines Progressive
Association, becoming a leading organiser and public speaker on the rights of women and children and exposing the horrendous health conditions and lack of nutrition on the Government run reserves,” Ms Robinson said.
After World War II, Mrs
Gibbs moved to Dubbo, where she helped Aboriginal people obtain better conditions under the Aborigines Welfare Board.
“Pearl was a very bright and politically astute woman with an excellent understanding of social reform and was admired for her integrity and determination,” Ms Robinson said.
In 1956, she established the Australian Aboriginal Fellowship which advocated for Aboriginal rights and fought against discrimination.
She also campaigned for Aboriginal civil rights, including the restriction to alcohol access.
“She remained politically active throughout the 1970s and was a supporter of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy,” Ms Robinson said.
“These are just a few of Pearl’s campaigns.
“She was an inspirational advocate for Aboriginal women’s rights and fought to ensure that women were represented in the struggle for equality and justice.
“She was a very inspirational woman.”
Mrs Gibbs died in Dubbo in 1983 at 81.
She is buried in the Old Dubbo Cemetery.