Mabel Howard Politician

Mabel Bowden Howard (18 April 1894 – 23 June 1972) was a well-known New Zealand trade unionist and politician. She was the first woman secretary of a predominantly male union (the Canterbury General Labourers’ Union).She was a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party from 1943 until 1969. In 1947 she became New Zealand's first woman cabinet minister when she was made Minister of Health and Minister in charge of Child Welfare. She is remembered for waving two large pairs of bloomers in parliament in support of her successful campaign to have clothing sizes standardised.

Personal facts

Mabel Howard
Birth dateApril 18, 1894
Birth place
Adelaide , Australia , Bowden South Australia
Date of deathJune 23, 1972
Place of death
Christchurch , New Zealand , Sunnyside Hospital
Profession
Trade union , Politician

Search

Office holder

party
New Zealand Labour Party
region
Christchurch East
Sydenham (New Zealand electorate)
relation
Ted Howard (politician)

Mabel Howard on Wikipedia

External resources

  1. http://www.library.otago.ac.nz/pdf/Reference%20Politics%20guide.pdf