Mary Donaldson, Baroness Donaldson of Lymington
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Dorothy Mary Warwick, Baroness Donaldson of Lymington, GBE
DStJ (29 August 1921–4 October 2003), better known as Dame Mary Donaldson, was the first, and to date the only, female Lord Mayor of London
(serving in that office in 1983–1984).
The daughter of an ironmonger and a school teacher, Donaldson worked as a nurse. She was elected a member of the City of London
Court of Common Council in 1966, and became the first female alderman
in 1975, the first female Sheriff of the City of London in 1981 and in 1983 the first female Lord Mayor.
Donaldson chaired the Interim Licensing Authority for Human In Vitro Fertilisation and Embryology (see Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
) and was a member of the Press Complaints Commission
1991-95.
Donaldson was the wife of John Donaldson, Baron Donaldson of Lymington
, who was Master of the Rolls
from 1982 to 1992. They married in 1945 and had two daughters and a son. They met at Middlesex Hospital
, where she was working as a nurse and he was visiting a sick relative.
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...
DStJ (29 August 1921–4 October 2003), better known as Dame Mary Donaldson, was the first, and to date the only, female Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
(serving in that office in 1983–1984).
The daughter of an ironmonger and a school teacher, Donaldson worked as a nurse. She was elected a member of the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
Court of Common Council in 1966, and became the first female alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
in 1975, the first female Sheriff of the City of London in 1981 and in 1983 the first female Lord Mayor.
Donaldson chaired the Interim Licensing Authority for Human In Vitro Fertilisation and Embryology (see Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is a statutory body in the United Kingdom that regulates and inspects all UK clinics providing in vitro fertilisation, artificial insemination and the storage of human eggs, sperm or embryos. It also regulates Human Embryo research...
) and was a member of the Press Complaints Commission
Press Complaints Commission
The Press Complaints Commission is a voluntary regulatory body for British printed newspapers and magazines, consisting of representatives of the major publishers. The PCC is funded by the annual levy it charges newspapers and magazines...
1991-95.
Donaldson was the wife of John Donaldson, Baron Donaldson of Lymington
John Donaldson, Baron Donaldson of Lymington
John Francis Donaldson, Baron Donaldson of Lymington PC, QC was a senior British judge who served as Master of the Rolls for 10 years, from 1982 to 1992.- Early and private life :...
, who was Master of the Rolls
Master of the Rolls
The Keeper or Master of the Rolls and Records of the Chancery of England, known as the Master of the Rolls, is the second most senior judge in England and Wales, after the Lord Chief Justice. The Master of the Rolls is the presiding officer of the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal...
from 1982 to 1992. They married in 1945 and had two daughters and a son. They met at Middlesex Hospital
Middlesex Hospital
The Middlesex Hospital was a teaching hospital located in the Fitzrovia area of London, United Kingdom. First opened in 1745 on Windmill Street, it was moved in 1757 to Mortimer Street where it remained until it was finally closed in 2005. Its staff and services were transferred to various sites...
, where she was working as a nurse and he was visiting a sick relative.