For #LGBThistorymonth I will be posting an #lgbtq #womaninhistory every day. Today is Penny Wong, an Australian politician who has been a Senator for South Australia since 2002. She is the first female openly-LGBTI Australian federal parliamentarian and federal government cabinet minister.

Wong was born in Malaysia but moved to Australia as a child. Before entering politics Wong worked for a union, as a ministerial adviser in the NSW Labor Government, and as a lawyer. In 2002 she became a Senator for South Australia. She speaks out against prejudice and campaigns for equality for women, LGBTI rights and a multicultural Australia.

In 2013, Penny was appointed Leader of the Government in the Senate and after the change of Government she was appointed the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. She is the first woman to hold both these roles.