Background
She was born as Mary Victoria Cracroft Wilson at Culverden in 1897. Her mother was known for her involvement with public activities, particularly those involving women.
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Mary Grigg
Edit ProfileEducation
Mary was educated for eight years at the Brondesbury School in London, where she became a head girl.
Career
Her parents were John Wilson, a sheepfarmer, and Mildred Hall. During the First World War she served in the nursing division of the VAD (Voluntary Aid Division). In 1941 Grigg was elected onto the Ashburton Hospital Board and became its first woman member.
Her greatest area of concern was farming issues, followed by housing, health and education.
In 1942 she joined with other women MPs from both sides of the House to argue that the number of women police officers should be increased and that they should be issued with a uniform. She also campaigned for women to be permitted to sit on juries.
Grigg continued to be active in the National Party after her parliamentary career ended. She supported Hilda Ross in her first election campaign in 1945, and in 1949 Ross and Grigg co-wrote the National Party"s election manifesto.
She was awarded a M.B.E. in the 1946 New Year Honours.
She was the fourth woman to be elected to Parliament after Elizabeth McCombs, Catherine Stewart and Mary Dreaver, and the first woman not from the Labour Party to be elected. Lady Polson was the President of Victoria League Canterbury from 1965 to 1970.
Membership
She was also president of the Ashburton Plunket Society, a member of the Red Cross executive and President of the Mount Somers Ladies" Guild.
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Born
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Died
December 22, 1971 (aged 74) -
Nationality
New Zealand -
Political Party
National Party