Runciman, Jane Elizabeth (1873–1950)

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Runciman, Jane Elizabeth (1873–1950)

New Zealand tailor, union official, and social reformer. Born June 4, 1873, at Waterford, Co. Waterford, Ireland; died Nov 13, 1950, at Dunedin, New Zealand; dau. of William Edward Runciman (grocer) and Susan Propert (Williams) Runciman.

Worked as a tailor at New Zealand Clothing Factory and became active in Dunedin Tailoress' Union (DTU, 1897), one of few women active in trade unionist activity; elected to New Zealand Labor Party's national executive (1918); her membership in Otago and Southland Women's Patriotic Association during WWI, distanced her from political left and she withdrew from national politics; involved in several social-welfare organizations, including Dunedin branch of New Zealand Society for the Protection of Women and Children; appointed justice of peace (1926).

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