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Mary Addison Hamilton, Australia’S First Lady Of Numbers, K. Cooper, A Kurtovic

Faculty of Business - Accounting & Finance Working Papers

In the early 20th century, the restriction of women entering the accounting as well as other professions was common, yet Australia’s first lady of numbers, Mary Addison Hamilton (Addie) has also been Australia’s forgotten pioneer. Addie became the first woman admitted to membership of a recognised professional accounting body in the British Commonwealth during a time when women’s admission to the accounting arena was strongly discouraged. This paper will attempt to explain why it is that Addie’s outstanding achievement has gone unnoticed by the modern day accounting profession rating no mention in Australian accounting history literature. Was it a case …