Cilento, Phyllis (1894–1987)
Cilento, Phyllis (1894–1987)
Australian medical practitioner, gynecologist and health educator. Name variations: Phyllis McGlew; Lady Phyllis Dorothy Cilento. Born Phyllis McGlew, Mar 13, 1894, in Sydney, Australia; died 1987 in Australia; Adelaide University, MB, BS; m. Sir Raphael "Ralph" West Cilento (medical administrator), 1920; children: Diane Cilento (actress, writer).
Medical practitioner, author and radio broadcaster who stressed importance of nutrition and family planning and worked for rights of women in medical field; did postgraduate work at hospitals and clinics in Malaysia, New Guinea, London, Paris and New York; on marriage, moved to Brisbane; became a prominent member of Queensland women's movement and highly influential in broader areas of public health; served as lecturer in midwifery and obstetrical physiotherapy at University of Queensland; wrote several books on nutrition, vitamin therapy, childbirth education, family planning, prenatal care and childcare; founded Queensland Mothercraft Association (1930) and served as its president (1930–33, 1935–48); served as president of Queensland Medical Women's Association (1938–47); writings include Square Meals for the Family (1934) and Nutrition of the Elderly (1980). Awarded membership of Order of Australia for life's work.
See also Lady Phyllis Cilento, My Life (Methuen, 1987).