Bonus episode now streaming: Trailblazers: Women, Change and the Work Still Ahead
In a special bonus episode of The Memory Tapes, host Dr Shirleene Robinson explores the voices of women whose determination, leadership and advocacy helped drive social change across Australia.
Drawing on the National Library of Australia’s rich Oral History Collection, Trailblazers: Women, Change and the Work Still Ahead brings listeners face-to-face with the experiences, reflections and achievements of remarkable Australian women. Through their own words, the episode shines a light on the barriers they faced, the progress they helped secure, and the work that remains unfinished.
Among the stories featured is that of Jennifer Robinson, one of Australia’s most prominent human rights lawyers and international advocates. Through her oral history, listeners hear how a young woman from regional New South Wales forged a path onto the world stage, becoming a leading voice for justice, human rights and freedom of expression. Her story is one of determination, conviction and the belief that individuals can challenge powerful institutions and create meaningful change.
The episode also highlights the remarkable life of Philipa Cracknell, Jennifer Robinson’s grandmother, whose experiences offer a powerful reminder that social progress is often built across generations. Together, their stories reveal how courage, resilience and a commitment to fairness can echo through families, with one generation helping to inspire the next. By placing these voices side by side, Trailblazers explores both the changes women have achieved and the enduring challenges that continue to shape their lives and opportunities.
I am so excited to have my grandmother’s story recorded at the National Library and to be included in this podcast. It means that her story and her voice will be heard and remembered, not just by our family, but by future generations of Australians. Her story serves as a reminder of how far we have come, but also how far we still have to go.
From community advocates and pioneers to lawyers, leaders and changemakers, the bonus episode celebrates the women who pushed boundaries, questioned convention and expanded what was possible for those who followed. Their stories remind us that progress is rarely inevitable. It is built by people willing to speak up, take risks and persist in the face of resistance.
Hearing her voice alongside those of the other remarkable women in this episode reminds us why this history matters and why we need to continue their work.
The Memory Tapes is a podcast from the National Library of Australia that brings history to life through the voices of the people who lived it, drawing on one of the world's largest oral history collections.
Listen to Trailblazers: Women, Change and the Work Still Ahead now available on the The Memory Tapes podcast page, and wherever you listen to your podcasts.
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