Mabel Howard
Name: Mabel Bowden Howard
Date of Birth: 18 April 1894
Date of Death: 23 June 1972
Summary
Politician, trade unionist and community worker.
I am a politician who, representing first Christchurch East, then the new electorate of Sydenham for the Labour Party, became New Zealand’s fifth female Member of Parliament and first female Cabinet minister, as well as the first female Cabinet Minister in the Commonwealth outside of Britain. I was also the first New Zealand woman to be appointed secretary of a male union.
I am a dedicated trade unionist and Labour Member of Parliament, and serve the causes I champion to the best of my ability. I aim to be a diligent constituency Member of Parliament, keeping an open house every Sunday accessible to all.
I have a special interest in social welfare, rehabilitation for returned servicemen and servicewomen (particularly policies that would support training for professional occupations), the welfare of women (particularly single mothers in rural areas), a state-paid pension for the elderly as a means of increasing living standards and self-esteem, and consumer protection.
My achievements in Parliament have included campaigning for equal pay for women, ensuring standardised clothing sizes in the Merchandise Marks Act 1954, the passing of the Animals Protection Act in 1960. In addition, as Health Minister, I have introduced important legislation which provides for better treatment of tuberculosis, the professional regulation of physiotherapists and occupational therapists, the teaching of obstetrics and gynaecology, improved facilities for the mentally ill, and sought to remove the associated stigma with mental disorders.
Work Experience
1911-1933: Employed at the Canterbury General Labourer’s Union as an office assistant.
1933: Appointed secretary of the Canterbury General Labourer’s Union.
1933-1968: Councillor for Christchurch City Council for a total of 19 years – 1933-1935, 1938-1941, 1950-1959 and 1963-1968. Howard also served on the Christchurch Drainage Board and North Canterbury Hospital Board.
1939: Confirmed in the Anglican Church. Served in St Chad’s parish in Linwood for many years on the vestry.
1943: Elected to New Zealand Parliament for Christchurch East in by-election.
1946: Elected to New Zealand Parliament for new electorate of Sydenham with 75.2 per cent of the vote. Held this seat until retirement in 1969.
1947: Elected to New Zealand Parliament’s Cabinet. Portfolios: Health and Child Welfare.
1949-1957: Opposition Member of Parliament.
1957-1960: Returned to Cabinet with Social Security,Welfare of Women and Children, and Child Welfare portfolios.
Volunteer Experience
Prior to 1919: Political assistant to her father, Ted Howard, who held the seat of Christchurch South
St John’s Ambulance
Royal New Zealand for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RNZSPCA), President of Canterbury division.
Canterbury Women’s War Service Auxiliary, Organizer.
Christchurch Women’s Active Service Club, Chair.
Christchurch Teenage Club, Patron.
Education
Christchurch Technical College, studied Commercial Subjects
Professional Affiliations
1908- onwards: Christchurch Socialist Society
Honours and Awards
Personal Interests
Personal Life
I was born in Bowden, Adelaide, in Australia. I’m the second of three daughters. In 1903, following my mother’s death, we moved back to my father’s hometown of Christchurch, where I’ve lived ever since.
References
Garner, J. (2013). McCombs, Elizabeth Reid. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved from http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/4m3/mccombs-elizabeth-reid
Digital NZ record: http://www.digitalnz.org/records/31888612
Ministry for Culture and Heritage (2014). Elizabeth McCombs. Retrieved from http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/people/elizabeth-mccombs.
Digital NZ record: http://www.digitalnz.org/records/33029923
NZ Truth. (26 January 1928). Elizabeth Reid McCombs. NZ Truth, Issue 1156. Page 6.
Digital NZ record: http://www.digitalnz.org/records/7271062
Wilson, J.O. (1935). McCombs, Elizabeth Reid. Press (Christchurch), 8 Jun 1935 (Obit). Retrieved from Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/1966/mccombs-elizabeth-reid
Digital NZ record: http://www.digitalnz.org/records/31896039
Date of Birth: 18 April 1894
Date of Death: 23 June 1972
Summary
Politician, trade unionist and community worker.
I am a politician who, representing first Christchurch East, then the new electorate of Sydenham for the Labour Party, became New Zealand’s fifth female Member of Parliament and first female Cabinet minister, as well as the first female Cabinet Minister in the Commonwealth outside of Britain. I was also the first New Zealand woman to be appointed secretary of a male union.
I am a dedicated trade unionist and Labour Member of Parliament, and serve the causes I champion to the best of my ability. I aim to be a diligent constituency Member of Parliament, keeping an open house every Sunday accessible to all.
I have a special interest in social welfare, rehabilitation for returned servicemen and servicewomen (particularly policies that would support training for professional occupations), the welfare of women (particularly single mothers in rural areas), a state-paid pension for the elderly as a means of increasing living standards and self-esteem, and consumer protection.
My achievements in Parliament have included campaigning for equal pay for women, ensuring standardised clothing sizes in the Merchandise Marks Act 1954, the passing of the Animals Protection Act in 1960. In addition, as Health Minister, I have introduced important legislation which provides for better treatment of tuberculosis, the professional regulation of physiotherapists and occupational therapists, the teaching of obstetrics and gynaecology, improved facilities for the mentally ill, and sought to remove the associated stigma with mental disorders.
Work Experience
1911-1933: Employed at the Canterbury General Labourer’s Union as an office assistant.
1933: Appointed secretary of the Canterbury General Labourer’s Union.
1933-1968: Councillor for Christchurch City Council for a total of 19 years – 1933-1935, 1938-1941, 1950-1959 and 1963-1968. Howard also served on the Christchurch Drainage Board and North Canterbury Hospital Board.
1939: Confirmed in the Anglican Church. Served in St Chad’s parish in Linwood for many years on the vestry.
1943: Elected to New Zealand Parliament for Christchurch East in by-election.
1946: Elected to New Zealand Parliament for new electorate of Sydenham with 75.2 per cent of the vote. Held this seat until retirement in 1969.
1947: Elected to New Zealand Parliament’s Cabinet. Portfolios: Health and Child Welfare.
1949-1957: Opposition Member of Parliament.
1957-1960: Returned to Cabinet with Social Security,Welfare of Women and Children, and Child Welfare portfolios.
Volunteer Experience
Prior to 1919: Political assistant to her father, Ted Howard, who held the seat of Christchurch South
St John’s Ambulance
Royal New Zealand for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RNZSPCA), President of Canterbury division.
Canterbury Women’s War Service Auxiliary, Organizer.
Christchurch Women’s Active Service Club, Chair.
Christchurch Teenage Club, Patron.
Education
Christchurch Technical College, studied Commercial Subjects
Professional Affiliations
1908- onwards: Christchurch Socialist Society
Honours and Awards
Personal Interests
Personal Life
I was born in Bowden, Adelaide, in Australia. I’m the second of three daughters. In 1903, following my mother’s death, we moved back to my father’s hometown of Christchurch, where I’ve lived ever since.
References
Garner, J. (2013). McCombs, Elizabeth Reid. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved from http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/4m3/mccombs-elizabeth-reid
Digital NZ record: http://www.digitalnz.org/records/31888612
Ministry for Culture and Heritage (2014). Elizabeth McCombs. Retrieved from http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/people/elizabeth-mccombs.
Digital NZ record: http://www.digitalnz.org/records/33029923
NZ Truth. (26 January 1928). Elizabeth Reid McCombs. NZ Truth, Issue 1156. Page 6.
Digital NZ record: http://www.digitalnz.org/records/7271062
Wilson, J.O. (1935). McCombs, Elizabeth Reid. Press (Christchurch), 8 Jun 1935 (Obit). Retrieved from Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/1966/mccombs-elizabeth-reid
Digital NZ record: http://www.digitalnz.org/records/31896039