Thea Stanley Hughes


Thea Stanley Hughes was an Australian writer and health advocate, president of the Women's League of Health in Australia.

Early life and education

Thea Stanley Hughes was born in England, raised in Australia, the daughter of writer J. Stanley Hughes. She earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Sydney. She studied dance with Ruby Ginner and Irene Mawer in London, and trained as a health educator at the Bagot Stack Health School in England.

Career

In 1935, Hughes brought the work of Mary Bagot Stack and Prunella Stack to Australia, and was founder and president of the Australian Women's League of Health, based in Sydney. She established branches across Australia, including in Melbourne, Perth, and Adelaide. Her work with the league, which continued into the 1950s, encouraged Australian women to pursue physical fitness through exercise, diet, hygiene, and outdoor recreation. The organization also offered pre-natal and post-natal relaxation and exercise classes. One of the League's signature events was a mass public gathering of women for outdoor exercise, often lead by Hughes.
Hughes opined against high-heeled shoes, and that good posture, grace, and muscle tone were more conducive to health and beauty. "Freedom can only be achieved through health. If you are unhealthy, you are a slave to your body," she instructed her followers. "The only way to achieve enduring health is by regular exercise." She invited German modern dancer Anny Fligg to tour Australia in 1937 and 1938, giving demonstrations and lectures.
Hughes wrote biographies of Australian historical figures for young readers, including Arthur Phillip, James Cook, Ernest Giles, and Matthew Flinders. Some of her writings reflect her interest in anthroposophy and other forms of mysticism. She also recorded audio books, including biographies of Helen Keller, Alexander Graham Bell, and Florence Nightingale.

Selected works