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It's fall 1976 in a high school home economics classroom in southern Australia.

Teenager Julia Gillard looks up from her sewing project and catches the eyes of a few of the other girls in class.

Julia gives them an knowing smile,

because she and her friends are about to pull a prank.

Julia doesn't think it's fair that the girls at her high school are required to take home

economics classes where they learn to sew, cook, and do laundry, while the boys get to take

shop.

Julia believes every student should get to choose which class they want, regardless of gender.

And today, Julia and her classmates are about to make their feelings known.

Julia stops sewing, gets up, and heads across the room to a washing machine.

She quickly fills it to the brim with dirty clothes from a nearby basket.

Then Julia opens a cabinet above the washer and grabs a box of laundry detergent. She glances back in her friends who giggle with delight, but Julia silences them with a finger to her lips.

Finally, she glances at the teacher to make sure she isn't watching and pours in the entire box of detergent. Julia starts the washing machine and quietly returns to her seat where she and her friends watch and wait.

Minutes later, torrents of bubbles pour out of the washer and onto the classroom floor.

Julia and the others burst into laughter.

The teacher rushes over and asks what's going on, but they all play dumb. They all say

they're working on their sewing project, and they have no idea what been wrong. While her teacher

deals with a washing machine, Julia and her friends beam triumphant. It's just a simple prank,

...