Born: 1901 (La Perouse, Sydney)
Biography:
Pearl Mary (Gambanyi) Gibbs (née Brown) was an Indigenous Australian activist who played a pivotal role in the Aboriginal movement during the early 20th century. Born on July 18, 1901, in La Perouse, Sydney, Gibbs emerged as the most prominent female activist within the Aboriginal community. Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to advocating for the rights and well-being of Aboriginal people, leaving an indelible impact on Australian history.
Gibbs was born to Mary Margaret Brown, a Ngemba Aboriginal woman named Maria, and David Barry, a white man. She grew up in the town of Yass, attending Mount Carmel School alongside her sister, Olga. In 1917, Gibbs and her sister relocated to Sydney to work as domestics. It was during this time that she encountered other Aboriginal women and girls who were also working as domestics under the Aborigines Protection Board. Gibbs helped these women make representations to the Board regarding their working conditions, thus initiating her advocacy work at a young age.
In April 1923, Gibbs married Robert James Gibbs, a British sailor. Together, they had a daughter and two sons. However, the couple later separated, and Gibbs took on the responsibility of caring for her children alone.
Gibbs’ activism gained momentum during the 1930s. She played a significant role in organizing and running a camp to support unemployed Aboriginal workers. She also lived in Salt Pan Creek camp, where refugee families from the north and south coasts, as well as Cummeragunja, resided. It was during this period that she collaborated with prominent Aboriginal activists like Bill Onus, Jack Patten, and Jack Campbell.
In 1933, Gibbs organized a strike for Aboriginal pea-pickers, drawing attention to the exploitative working conditions faced by Aboriginal workers. Her involvement with the Aborigines Progressive Association (APA) further shaped her activism. As one of the first members of the APA, Gibbs delivered powerful speeches in Sydney’s Domain that attracted large crowds. She worked closely with APA president Jack Patten and secretary William Ferguson, eventually becoming the secretary herself in 1938.
Gibbs played a vital role in organizing the Day of Mourning protests in 1938, which marked a significant milestone in the history of Aboriginal civil rights demonstrations in Australia. Following this, she became a spokesperson for the Committee for Aboriginal Citizen Rights, a lobby group dedicated to continuing the work initiated by the Day of Mourning Congress. Gibbs held the position of APA secretary until 1940.
In 1941, Gibbs made history by becoming the first Aboriginal woman to make a radio broadcast. Her speech, focused on Aboriginal civil rights, was carefully scripted to ensure its acceptance on air. This groundbreaking achievement further amplified her advocacy for Aboriginal rights and raised awareness among the broader Australian population.
Throughout her activism, Gibbs faced various challenges and obstacles. Aboriginal people were subjected to strict controls on their movement, necessitating exemption certificates from the protection board. Despite such oppressive conditions, she fearlessly fought for justice, equality, and fundamental rights for Aboriginal people throughout Australia.
Pearl Gibbs dedicated her life to empowering Aboriginal people, challenging systemic injustices, and raising public awareness about their struggles. She contributed significantly to the Aboriginal civil rights movement in the early 20th century and remains an inspirational figure in Australian history.