MacKinnon, Joanna (1878–1966)
MacKinnon, Joanna (1878–1966)
New Zealand nurse. Name variations: Joanna Murray. Born Nov 12, 1878, in Balmeanach, on island of Skye, Scotland; died Aug 26, 1966, in Dunedin, New Zealand; dau. of John MacKinnon (fisherman) and Jane (Finlayson) MacKinnon; m. James Dingwall Murray (firefighter), 1908; children: 2 sons.
Worked as an attendant at a mental hospital (1902–05); requested by Frederic Truby King to teach mothers his methods of modifying cow's milk for infant feeding (1905); became integral figure in nascent infant-welfare movement in Dunedin (a formalized system based on her work was proposed by governor, Lord Plunket, and Lady Victoria Plunket, 1908); became 1st Plunket nurse in New Zealand and received the 1st medal; helped found Society for the Promotion of the Health of Women and Children (later the Plunket Society).
See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 3).