Rout, Ettie Annie (1877–1936)

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Rout, Ettie Annie (1877–1936)

New Zealand stenographer, journalist, medical-health educator, social activist, and writer. Name variations: Ettie Annie Hornibrook. Born Feb 24, 1877, in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia; died Sept 17, 1936, in Rarotonga, New Zealand; dau. of William John Rout (ironmonger) and Catherine Frances (McKay) Rout; m. Frederick Hornibrook (physiotherapist), 1920.

One of first stenographers for Supreme Court (1902), established own typing business (1904); became involved in labor movement (1907); established New Zealand Volunteer Sisterhood during WWI, and accompanied volunteers to Egypt to care for New Zealand soldiers (1916); when confronted with high rate of venereal disease, developed and sold prophylactic kits to soldiers (a program eventually adopted by New Zealand Expeditionary Force); wrote several books, including Sex and Exercise, Safe Marriage which was banned in New Zealand (1923).

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