Williamson, Jessie Marguerite (c. 1855–1937)

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Williamson, Jessie Marguerite (c. 1855–1937)

New Zealand feminist and welfare worker. Name variations: Jessie Marguerite McAllan. Born Jessie Marguerite McAllan, between 1855 and 1857, in Dublin, Ireland; died July 26, 1937, in Epsom, New Zealand; dau. of John McAllan (merchant); m. Hugh Bellis Williamson (clerk), 1875; children: 4 daughters.

Immigrated with husband to New Zealand (c. 1877); active in women's issues, was principal member of Wanganui Women's Franchise League (1893); was founding member of National Council of Women of New Zealand (NCW, 1896); named official visitor to Wanganui prison and worked to improve conditions there (1896); appointed to Patea and Wanganui United Charitable Aid Board (1900); proposed reforms to Wanganui's Jubilee Home for elderly, and advocated forcing fathers to provide for their illegitimate children.

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 2).

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Williamson, Jessie Marguerite (c. 1855–1937)

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