Howard, Mabel (1893–1972)

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Howard, Mabel (1893–1972)

New Zealand politician . Born in 1893; died in 1972.

Born in New Zealand in 1893, Mabel Howard had a long and distinguished political career, which included 26 years in Parliament (1943–69) and was marked by a number of "firsts." Elected secretary of the New Zealand Federated Laborers Union early in her career, she was the first woman ever to hold such a post in the all-male organization. Her appointment as Minister of Health and Child Welfare in 1947 made her the first woman to hold full Cabinet status. She is also credited with crafting and promoting New Zealand's first animal protection act. Howard was known as a determined champion of women's and children's rights and also campaigned for social security, housing provisions, and consumers' rights. Notorious for her colorful speeches, she once shocked her fellow members of Parliament by holding up a pair of women's bloomers to make a point about sizing.

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