Merle Thornton, who famously challenged the ban on women drinking in public bars by chaining herself to the Regatta Hotel bar in Toowong, has been recognised with an honorary doctorate and a pledge named in her honour to combat corporate gender inequality.
Fifty-five years after her protest at the Regatta Hotel, the University of Queensland bestowed an honorary Doctorate of Letters upon Merle Thornton, celebrating her profound impact on Australian Society. The 1965 protest where Thornton and Rosalie Bogner chained themselves to the Regatta Hotel Bar, resulted in repeal of section 59A of the Queensland Liquor Act five years later. UQ Vice-Chancellor Debbie Terry stated that the doctorate was awarded for Thornton’s extraordinary contribution to society.
The “Merle’s Pledge”
In addition to the doctorate, UQ has launched the “Merle’s Pledge,” an initiative to increase female representation in professional settings. This pledge requires individuals to commit gender equity as a condition of their participation in panels and conferences.
Dr Dee Gibbon, UQ’s Head of Workplace Diversity and Inclusion, confirmed that the senior leadership team has pledged to avoid panels or events lacking adequate female representation. This initiative addresses the gender imbalance in physics and electrical engineering, where conferences often lack female speakers.
Dr Jacqueline Romero, a physics and mathematics fellow at UQ, acknowledged the gender disparity in science and emphasised the importance of visible female role models for young people. She also admired Thornton’s advocacy for women’s and Indigenous rights.
Family and Legacy
Merle Thornton’s daughter, Sigrid Thornton, conveyed her mother’s deep honour and delight at the recognition. Sigrid Thornton, a gender-quota advocate in the film and television industry, highlighted the significance of the “Merle’s Pledge” in redressing gender imbalances. She emphasised the need for both female and male feminists to champion gender equity. The “Merle Pledge” provides guidelines for other institutions to adopt the pledge, and encourages the use of the pledge’s messaging and logo.
Thornton’s Broader Activism
Merle Estelle Thornton AM, who passed away on August 16, 2024, was a dedicated advocate for women’s rights and social justice. Beyond the Regatta Hotel protest, she co-founded the Equal Opportunities Association for Women in 1965 and helped establish the first Women’s Studies course at UQ in 1973. Her activism extended to demanding equal pay and the removal of the marriage bar for women in public service.
In 2015, Thornton was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for her service to the community, particularly her advocacy for women and Indigenous rights and her contributions to the arts. In 2014, the Regatta Hotel acknowledged her impact by renaming its bar “Merle’s Bar. ” In 2009, her 1965 protest was recognised as a “Q150 Icon.”
Published Date 11-March-2025
