Before The Women’s Weekly in 1933 there was The Dawn in 1888.

Before Ita Butrose there was Louisa Lawson. Before The Women’s Weekly in 1933 there was The Dawn in 1888. Before Henry there was his mother, Louisa.


This is the story of The Dawn and the struggle to give women a voice.It is the story of Louisa Lawson, the power of words and early feminist printing.

Written by James Howard

Directed by Ann Chadwick

Music by George Williams

Performed by Gin O’Brien, Tayla Harry, Peppa Sindar, Mary-Rose McLaren, Graham Maxwell, Adam Menegazzo & Kate Parkins

Image by Darren Gill

Logo created by Linda Bagu Batson, adapted from the original masthead