Allan, Stella May
Dates
- Existence: 1872 - 1962
Biography
Stella Henderson was born in Kaiapoi. She won a scholarship to Christchurch Girls' High School, then to Canterbury University College, where she graduated M.A. Hons. in English and Latin in 1893. She decided to become a lawyer, and was employed by Izard and Loughnan while she gained her Ll.B. She was the first New Zealand woman to graduate in law (1897) and to be admitted to the Bar. She became the first woman Parliamentary correspondent. She married Edwin Allan, also a political journalist, and in 1903 they moved to Melbourne. In 1908 Mrs. Allan began her column for women in the Melbourne Argus, writing as Vesta. This very influential column ran for thirty years. Mrs. Allan belonged to the National Council of Women from her university days, and did much welfare and other work for women. In 1958 she wrote a series of articles for the Christchurch Star-sun, reminiscences of her early days in New Zealand. One of Stella Henderson's sisters was Elizabeth, later Elizabeth McCombs, the first woman to be elected as a Councillor in New Zealand, and the first woman M.P.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Stella May Allan papers
Photocopy of the life of Stella May Allan, née Henderson, given as a speech by her daughter, Patricia Keep, in 1979. Also includes an 1898 article about Miss Stella Henderson, from the White Ribbon, a 1958 reminiscence of her school and university days and a genealogical table of descendents of Stella May Henderson & Edwin Allan.