Muriel Hanschell

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Muriel Hanschell
Muriel Hanschell.png
Nominated Member of the Legislative Council
In office
1949–1954
Personal details
Born3 October 1884
Barbados
Died28 May 1971(1971-05-28) (aged 86)

Muriel Hanschell MBE (3 October 1884 – 28 May 1971) was a Barbadian social worker and politician. She was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1949, becoming the first female member of the Parliament of Barbados.

Biography[]

Hanschell was born in Barbados in October 1884,[1] the daughter of Herbert Greaves, the Chief Justice of Barbados.[2] She was educated at Queen's College on the island before attending Newnham College at the University of Cambridge, where she earned a BA in mathematics.[1] Returning to Barbados, she began carrying out social work, initially by distributing milk powder from her garage.[3] She married Albert James Hanschell in 1912 and had three children.[3][1][2]

In 1921 she co-founded the Child Health Committee (later known as the Baby Welfare League),[3] serving as its secretary and later president. She was also president of the Family Welfare Society and Naval Welfare League,[1] and served on the Board of Governors of the St. Michael School between 1928 and 1945.[3] she was awarded an MBE in the 1928 Birthday Honours.

In 1949 Hanschell was appointed to the Legislative Council,[4] becoming the first female member of the Barbadian parliament.[5] She remained a member until retiring in 1954.[1]

She died on 28 May 1971.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e The British Caribbean Who, What, Why, Volume 1, p55
  2. ^ a b The Women's Who's who, Shaw Publishing Company, 1934, p203
  3. ^ a b c d e This Day in History – March 8 Barbados Museum
  4. ^ Report of the National Commission on the Status of Women in Barbados, Volume 1, p307
  5. ^ Women in Politics in Barbados Caribbean Elections
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