Catherine Helen Spence was an activist for many humans' rights. She made many public speeches on the subjects she thought were important. She wrote several books. She did not sign with her own name on the first few books she wrote. Her first book was about Australia. It was the first book about Australia created by a woman. She created a program that helped the poor and children without families. Spence was important to an organization that supported women’s right to vote. South Australia (the place she lived) became the first place to let women vote.