Elizabeth Gilmer
Encyclopedia
Dame Elizabeth Gilmer, DBE
, FRHortS
(24 March 1880, Kumara
, Westland, New Zealand - 29 February 1960, Wellington, New Zealand) was a New Zealand
social worker, educationist and horticulturist.
Born as Elizabeth May Seddon at Kumara
to the future New Zealand Prime Minister Richard Seddon
and Louisa Spotswood Seddon, she attended the Kumara School and Wellington Girls' College.
For her contributions during the First and Second World Wars, she was awarded, firstly, the OBE (1946), and the DBE (1951). Gilmer became the first New Zealand woman to be awarded the DBE (in 1951).
Elizabeth Gilmer was awarded the Greek Red Cross medal and Coronation Medals in 1937 and 1953.
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, FRHortS
Royal Horticultural Society
The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 in London, England as the Horticultural Society of London, and gained its present name in a Royal Charter granted in 1861 by Prince Albert...
(24 March 1880, Kumara
Kumara
Kumara may refer to:Places* Kumara, New Zealand, a town* Kumara , a Parliamentary electoratePeople*Ajith Kumara , Sri Lankan politician*Dinesh Kumara , Sri Lankan cricketer...
, Westland, New Zealand - 29 February 1960, Wellington, New Zealand) was a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
social worker, educationist and horticulturist.
Born as Elizabeth May Seddon at Kumara
Kumara
Kumara may refer to:Places* Kumara, New Zealand, a town* Kumara , a Parliamentary electoratePeople*Ajith Kumara , Sri Lankan politician*Dinesh Kumara , Sri Lankan cricketer...
to the future New Zealand Prime Minister Richard Seddon
Richard Seddon
Richard John Seddon , sometimes known as King Dick, is to date the longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is regarded by some, including historian Keith Sinclair, as one of New Zealand's greatest political leaders....
and Louisa Spotswood Seddon, she attended the Kumara School and Wellington Girls' College.
Career
Gilmer was a member of the Wellington Hospital Board from 1938 to 1953. From 1934 to 1957 she was the Government nominee on the Wellington Colleges' Board of Governors. In 1942 she was elected to the Wellington City Council, where she served from 1941 to 1953, as chairman of the Libraries and Parks and Reserves Committees. She worked to secure the passing of the Native Plant Protection Act and the reinstatement of Arbor Day. She stood for Parliament in 1935 and 1938 but declined to accept nomination for any political party.For her contributions during the First and Second World Wars, she was awarded, firstly, the OBE (1946), and the DBE (1951). Gilmer became the first New Zealand woman to be awarded the DBE (in 1951).
Elizabeth Gilmer was awarded the Greek Red Cross medal and Coronation Medals in 1937 and 1953.
Family
On 3 July 1907, at St Paul's Church, Thorndon, Wellington, she married Knox Gilmer (1879–1921); they had two daughters. They lived at Te Marua, Upper HuttUpper Hutt
Upper Hutt is a satellite city of Wellington. It is New Zealand's smallest city by population, the second largest by land area. It is in Greater Wellington.-Geography:Upper Hutt is 30 km north-east of Wellington...
.
Death
Dame Elizabeth Gilmer died at Wellington on 29 February 1960, a month before her 80th birthday.Links
- http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/honours/overview/history.html
- http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/DNZB/alt_essayBody.asp?essayID=4G9