Kelso, Elizabeth (1889–1967)

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Kelso, Elizabeth (1889–1967)

New Zealand journalist, editor, and community leader. Name variations: Elizabeth Cumming. Born May 28, 1889, in Fort William, Argyll, Scotland; died July 7, 1967, at Raumati Beach, New Zealand; dau. of Ewen Cumming (master slater) and Elizabeth (Munro) Cumming; m. Robert Kelso (grocer), 1920 (died 1956); children: 1 daughter.

Lived in South Africa before immigrating to New Zealand (mid-1920s); became inaugural president of Paraparaumu Women's Institute (1929), contributed to its journal, Home and Country, and served as its editor (1931–34); joined executive committee of Wellington Provincial Federation of Women's Institutes(1932); sat on joint council of Order of St John and New Zealand Red Cross Society; active in Women's Division of Farmers' Union; instrumental in persuading New Zealand Department of Health to organize women's institutes for Maori women; wrote fiction (1930s–1940s).

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.