Denman, Gertrude (1884–1954)
Denman, Gertrude (1884–1954)
English educator, campaigner for rural life, and birth-control advocate. Name variations: Gertrude Mary Denman; Trudie Denman; Lady Denman. Born Gertrude Mary Pearson, Nov 7, 1884; grew up in London; died June 2, 1954; only dau. of Weetman Dickinson Pearson, 1st Viscount Cowdray (1856–1927, construction magnate); m. Lord Thomas Denman, 3rd baron Denman (1874–1954, 5th governor-general of Australia, 1910–14), Nov 26,1903.
Inherited father's country estate, Balcombe Place (1905); elected to Women's National Liberal Federation; began working with Bush Nursing Association (1913); served as Women's Institute (WI) chair for Britain (1917–46); served as director for Women's Land Army (1939) and volunteered Balcombe Place for its headquarters; began serving as chair of National Birth Control Association (1930), which was later known as the Family Planning Association; as chair, led committee that produced a report about practical education for women in rural areas (1928). Named Order of the British Empire (1920) and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1933); honored by the naming of Denman College in Marcham, Abingdon, near Berkshire (1948).