Armitage, Rachelina Hepburn (1873–1955)

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Armitage, Rachelina Hepburn (1873–1955)

New Zealand social-welfare worker. Name variations: Rachelina Hepburn Stewart. Born Rachelina Hepburn Stewart, April 22, 1873, at Dunedin, New Zealand; died May 14, 1955, in Dunedin; dau. of William Downie Stewart (lawyer) and Rachel (Hepburn) Stewart; Somerville College, University of Oxford, BA, 1896; m. George Whitefield Armitage (accountant, died 1943), 1903; children: 2 sons.

First New Zealand woman to complete BA course at University of Oxford (1896); joined Women's University Settlements Scheme to help improve women's position in education and work place (late 1890s); returned to New Zealand (1899); established Temuka branch of New Zealand Federation of Women's Institutes; active in Society of Health of Women and Children (Plunkett Society) (1914–28).

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