Gracia Baylor

Who is Gracia Baylor?

Hilda Gracia Baylor AM is a retired Australian politician. Baylor was one of the first two women elected to the Victorian Legislative Council in 1979, the other being Joan Coxsedge.

Gracia was born in Brisbane, her father was in the military and the family eventually settled in Victoria. She studied fine art and teaching, and taught in secondary schools until she married. Following her first marriage she worked as a law clerk and managed one of her husbands three law practices.

She became interested in local government when she nocticed the lack of a kindergarten near her home. She was elected to the Healesville Shire council in 1966, and became Shire president from 1977 to 1978, she was the first female Shire predident in Victoria. In 1979 she and Joan Coxsedge were the first women elected to the Victorian Legislative Council. She held her seat until 1985 when she resigned to contest a seat in the Legislative Assembly, her bid was unsuccessful.

She has continued to be involved in women's issues, including a term as the president of the National Council of Women.