Lyn Berlowitz
Linda Berlowitz | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Boulder, Australia |
| Died | July 1, 1998 (aged 95) Sydney, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Nurse, pastoralist, politician |
| Years active | 1960–1962 (politician) |
| Known for | First female elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Council |
Linda Marion Berlowitz (30 April 1903 – 1 July 1998) was an Australian nurse, pastoralist, and politician. She holds the distinction of being the first female to secure election to the Northern Territory Legislative Council, representing the Fannie Bay electorate as an independent beginning 20 February 1960.
Berlowitz was born in Boulder and initially worked at a stock and station agency before pursuing nursing studies in Melbourne. In 1943, she wed Harold "Happy" Berlowitz, and the couple subsequently relocated to Darwin. Deeply involved in community initiatives and women's advocacy, she was motivated to contest the Legislative Council seat in 1960, winning Fannie Bay. She served a single term until her defeat by Harry Chan in 1962.
Her legislative focus included Indigenous affairs and advancing women's rights, notably by proposing a bill to permit women to serve on juries within the Northern Territory. Although Ron Withnall, a council member and Crown Law Officer, vehemently opposed this reform, the legislation was ultimately enacted. Nevertheless, discriminatory exclusions remained evident, as Berlowitz and another woman were barred from jury duty in 1964.
The Berlowitz family owned Bullita Station, a cattle enterprise located in the Victoria River area, where they lived until 1977.
Linda Berlowitz died in Sydney on 1 July 1998 at the age of 95.