In considering the contribution of women to Australian society, Caroline Chisholm must figure prominently. Her work as a social reformer is widely acknowledged. What is less well known is that her work was motivated by a strong sense of vocation born out of a desire to do God’s will.

Her contribution to the establishment of Australian society is well documented. She is remembered for shaping not our economic prosperity, nor our political structures, but the human face of our continent in those early days of free settlement. Henry Parkes’ Empire newspaper paid tribute to her in 1859 in the following words:

If Captain James Cook discovered Australia – if John Macarthur planted the first seeds of its extraordinary prosperity – if Ludwig Leichardt penetrated and explored its before unknown interior – Caroline Chisholm has done more – she alone has colonised in the true sense of the term.

Caroline Chisholm’s achievements were extraordinary for a woman of her time. She was an advocate for women, awakening the colony’s conscience to the lack of dignity with which many female immigrants were treated. Caroline achieved tremendous good in her own time with her concern for the welfare of women, families and individuals. Her life and example speaks to women today as strongly as in her own lifetime. In many ways, Caroline Chisholm was a remarkably modern woman. A study of her work and motivation reveals enduring Christian principles which are as relevant to present times as they were to her own. Caroline was a pioneer in Australian society in advocating strong social justice principles. She was also a prophet within the Church in articulating the same principles of social justice which were not articulated until the encyclical Rerum Novarum written by Pope Leo XIII in 1891, fourteen years after her death. Caroline Chisholm’s work stemmed from her own perceptions of a vocational call and the manner in which she responded to it are reflected in the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and clearly articulated in the apostolic exhortation of John Paul II, Christifidelis Laici.