McVicar, Annie (1862–1954)

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McVicar, Annie (1862–1954)

New Zealand politician and social-wel-fare worker. Name variations: Ann McLachlan, Ann McDonald. Born Ann McLachlan, Nov 4, 1862, near Kilmartin, Argyllshire, Scotland; dau. of Alexander McLachlan (laborer) and Lilly (McNair) McLachlan; m. Gordon McDonald (clerk), 1888 (died 1906); m. Alexander McVicar (engineer), 1906 (died 1922).

Immigrated to New Zealand with 1st husband (1901); active in social and educational work in Wellington from 1906; executive member of New Zealand Society for the Protection of Women and Children; helped establish local branch of Plunket Society (1908); active in New Zealand Political Reform League (1913); served as Miramar borough councillor (1919 and 1921); was the 1st woman elected to Wellington City Council (1921); was a member of Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board (1915–38); appointed justice of peace (1926); with funds from estate of Dr Edith Huntley, established Alexandra Maternity Hospital at Newtown (1927). Alliance franĉaise bronze medal (1916); Member of British Empire (1938).

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 3).

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