Ruth Coleman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
27 September 1931
Consumer advocate
Ruth Coleman | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Coleman in 1974 | |
| Senator for Western Australia | |
| In office 18 May 1974 – 5 June 1987 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ruth Nancy Huckstep 27 September 1931 Collie, Western Australia, Australia |
| Died | 27 March 2008 (aged 76) Bassendean, Western Australia, Australia |
| Party | Labor |
| Occupation | Public relations officer Consumer advocate |
Ruth Nancy Coleman (née Huckstep; 27 September 1931 – 27 March 2008) was an Australian politician. She was a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and served as a Senator for Western Australia from 1974 to 1987. She was prominent in the anti-nuclear movement.
Coleman was born on 27 September 1931 in Collie, Western Australia, the daughter of Alice Beatrice (née Boulden) and Vincent Huckstep. Her father was a railway ganger and the family moved frequently during her childhood.[1]
Coleman began her schooling at a state school in East Victoria Park and later boarded at a convent school in Toodyay. She left school at the age of 13 and "was variously employed as a bus conductress, usherette, waitress, housemaid and cashier". She later trained as a telephonist and found work as a secretary, then moved into "publishing, advertising and copywriting, and eventually public relations".[1]
Coleman moved to Melbourne in the 1950s with her first husband, where she began working in radio and television.[1] In 1964 she made an appearance as a cafe proprietor in Consider Your Verdict.[2] She returned to Perth in 1964 following her divorce and worked for Swan Television (Channel Nine) as a publicity and promotions officer.[1]
Consumer activism
In 1970, Coleman became interested in consumer protection after buying a pantsuit falsely labelled as pure linen.[2] She became the inaugural secretary of the Consumers' Action Movement in 1971 and was subsequently appointed to the Consumer Affairs Council of Western Australia and the Retail Trades and Control Advisory Committee.[1] The Australian Women's Weekly reported in 1974 that she was a "household name throughout Western Australia" and had made 117 speeches the previous year.[2]
