Stewart, Catherine Campbell (1881–1957)

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Stewart, Catherine Campbell (1881–1957)

New Zealand welfare worker, political activist, and politician. Name variations: Catherine Campbell Sword. Born Catherine Campbell Sword, Aug 15, 1881, in Glasgow, Scotland; died April 2, 1957, in Glasgow; dau. of William Baird Sword (journeyman ironfitter) and Margaret Christina (Neilson) Sword; m. Charles Stewart (foreman ironfitter), Mar 23, 1900 (died 1948); children: 3 sons.

Worked for Labor candidates in Glasgow and founded Women's Co-operative Guild; also involved with British suffrage movement; was a member of Women's Social and Political Union; with family, immigrated to New Zealand at age 40 (1921); was executive member of Wellington After-care Association for intellectually impaired children (1920s); active in women's branch of New Zealand Labor Party; helped establish Women's Central Co-operative Committee and Wellington District Co-operative Society (1930s); served as Labour MP from Wellington West (1938–43), the 2nd woman to be elected to the New Zealand Parliament and, until 1960, the only woman to win a seat without the help of a by-election; returned to Glasgow (1950).

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 4).

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