'Merle Thornton is one of Australia's most delightful, formidable and game-changing pioneering feminists - a woman who through her daring and defiance helped bring about positive change for generations of Australian women.
'In her most audacious act, in 1965 she chained herself to the bar at the Regatta Hotel in Brisbane to protest against the law that excluded women from public bars in Queensland, bringing about the end of segregated drinking in that state. The bar in the hotel is now called 'Merle's Bar.' But that's just one achievement, in a life full and rich in defiance, daring and determination.' (Publication summary)