Elizabeth McCombs
Name: Elizabeth McCombs (née Elizabeth Reid Henderson)
Date of Birth: 19 November 1873
Date of Death: 7 June 1935
Summary
Politician, socialist and social worker.
I am a politician who, representing Lyttleton for the Labour Party, became the first woman to be elected to the New Zealand Parliament. I was the first woman to be endorsed by the Labour Party, and I have also served on the Labour Party’s executive.
I became interested in socialism and increasing the political rights of women through my elder sisters, Stella and Christina. With them, I became involved with the Progressive Liberal Association, and later, the New Zealand Women’s Christian Temperance Union with Kate Sheppard. I have been with the NZWCTU for a number of years and held many positions, including that of national treasurer.
I was elected to the Christchurch City Council, being only the second woman to do so, and have held this position for fourteen years, while being active in large number of other organizations, such as charities and hospital boards, and have also served the community as one of the first New Zealand women to be made a Justice of the Peace.
As well as my constituents, I have a special interest in representing women’s rights and welfare. I have dedicated myself to improving the situation of women in New Zealand, and demonstrating that women are the equal of men in all areas of life, especially political life.
Work Experience
1916: Elected onto the executive of the newly formed second New Zealand Labour Party.
1921-1935: Elected to Christchurch City Council. Convinced the Council to build a crèche and women’s rest room in Cathedral Square, the provision of which recognized that women were commuting to shop and seek leisure in the central city.
1925-1934: Elected to the North Canterbury Hospital Board. Insisted on hygiene and nutritious meals for patients and nurses, campaigned to improve nurses’ working conditions.
1925: As a member of the Christchurch City Council’s electricity committee, fought for the lowest domestic electricity rates in the country.
1927: Elected Chairman of the Electricity Committee. Reduced cost of electricity to the consumer.
1927: Elected to the Christchurch Tramway Board; as the first woman and first Labour Representative.
1929; 1931-1935: Chaired the Electricity Committee; the first woman to do so.
1933: Elected to the committee administering the Mayor’s Relief of Distress Fund.
1933-1935: Held Lyttleton seat for the Labour Party, succeeding late husband James McCombs.
Volunteer Experience
1926: Made a Justice of the Peace.
Education
1883: Christchurch Normal School
1884: Christchurch West School
1889: Christchurch Girls High School
Professional Affiliations
1902-1905: Young People’s No Licence League, President.
Progressive Liberal Association
New Zealand Women’s Christian Temperance Union:
· 1909-1910: Dominion Treasurer
· 1909-1921: President (Sumner Branch)
· 1913: National Superintendent (Domestic Science Department)
· 1913-1917: Christchurch District President
New Zealand Labour Party
Canterbury Children’s Aid Society, Secretary
Christchurch Socialist Church
Canterbury Fabian Society
Honours and Awards
1935: King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
McCombs Memorial Garden in Woolston Park
Personal Interests
Personal Life
I was born in Woodend, Kaiapoi, in 1873. I spent my youth in Ashburton and Cristchurch. I married James McCombs in 1903, and gave birth to Terence and Alison. I also have two adopted children, both orphans.
References
Atkinson, N. (2014). Mabel Howard. Retrieved from NZ History online, Ministry for Culture and Heritage: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/people/mabel-howard
Digital NZ record: http://www.digitalnz.org/records/33029929
McAloon, J. (2013). Howard recalls her early years. Retrieved from http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/speech/25/howard-recalls-her-early-years
Digital NZ record: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/speech/25/howard-recalls-her-early-years
McAloon, J. (2013). Howard, Mabel Bowden. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved from http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/5h38/howard-mabel-bowden
Digital NZ record: http://www.digitalnz.org/records/31888327
Date of Birth: 19 November 1873
Date of Death: 7 June 1935
Summary
Politician, socialist and social worker.
I am a politician who, representing Lyttleton for the Labour Party, became the first woman to be elected to the New Zealand Parliament. I was the first woman to be endorsed by the Labour Party, and I have also served on the Labour Party’s executive.
I became interested in socialism and increasing the political rights of women through my elder sisters, Stella and Christina. With them, I became involved with the Progressive Liberal Association, and later, the New Zealand Women’s Christian Temperance Union with Kate Sheppard. I have been with the NZWCTU for a number of years and held many positions, including that of national treasurer.
I was elected to the Christchurch City Council, being only the second woman to do so, and have held this position for fourteen years, while being active in large number of other organizations, such as charities and hospital boards, and have also served the community as one of the first New Zealand women to be made a Justice of the Peace.
As well as my constituents, I have a special interest in representing women’s rights and welfare. I have dedicated myself to improving the situation of women in New Zealand, and demonstrating that women are the equal of men in all areas of life, especially political life.
Work Experience
1916: Elected onto the executive of the newly formed second New Zealand Labour Party.
1921-1935: Elected to Christchurch City Council. Convinced the Council to build a crèche and women’s rest room in Cathedral Square, the provision of which recognized that women were commuting to shop and seek leisure in the central city.
1925-1934: Elected to the North Canterbury Hospital Board. Insisted on hygiene and nutritious meals for patients and nurses, campaigned to improve nurses’ working conditions.
1925: As a member of the Christchurch City Council’s electricity committee, fought for the lowest domestic electricity rates in the country.
1927: Elected Chairman of the Electricity Committee. Reduced cost of electricity to the consumer.
1927: Elected to the Christchurch Tramway Board; as the first woman and first Labour Representative.
1929; 1931-1935: Chaired the Electricity Committee; the first woman to do so.
1933: Elected to the committee administering the Mayor’s Relief of Distress Fund.
1933-1935: Held Lyttleton seat for the Labour Party, succeeding late husband James McCombs.
Volunteer Experience
1926: Made a Justice of the Peace.
Education
1883: Christchurch Normal School
1884: Christchurch West School
1889: Christchurch Girls High School
Professional Affiliations
1902-1905: Young People’s No Licence League, President.
Progressive Liberal Association
New Zealand Women’s Christian Temperance Union:
· 1909-1910: Dominion Treasurer
· 1909-1921: President (Sumner Branch)
· 1913: National Superintendent (Domestic Science Department)
· 1913-1917: Christchurch District President
New Zealand Labour Party
Canterbury Children’s Aid Society, Secretary
Christchurch Socialist Church
Canterbury Fabian Society
Honours and Awards
1935: King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
McCombs Memorial Garden in Woolston Park
Personal Interests
Personal Life
I was born in Woodend, Kaiapoi, in 1873. I spent my youth in Ashburton and Cristchurch. I married James McCombs in 1903, and gave birth to Terence and Alison. I also have two adopted children, both orphans.
References
Atkinson, N. (2014). Mabel Howard. Retrieved from NZ History online, Ministry for Culture and Heritage: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/people/mabel-howard
Digital NZ record: http://www.digitalnz.org/records/33029929
McAloon, J. (2013). Howard recalls her early years. Retrieved from http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/speech/25/howard-recalls-her-early-years
Digital NZ record: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/speech/25/howard-recalls-her-early-years
McAloon, J. (2013). Howard, Mabel Bowden. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved from http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/5h38/howard-mabel-bowden
Digital NZ record: http://www.digitalnz.org/records/31888327