One of New Zealand’s finest writers for children. She has been commemorated since 1945 by the Esther Glen Award, which is given by the New Zealand Library Association for only ‘the most distinguished’ contributions to New Zealand literature for children.
Esther Marion Pretoria James was remarkable for the diversity of her achievements, and in the 1930s became a national celebrity during a sponsored walk of the length of New Zealand.
In 1987 she helped establish the Taranaki Activity Centre, an alternative education institution for teenagers failing in the state education system. She also served on the local Regional Employment and Access Council (REAC), the supervising committee for the ACCESS and MACCESS work schemes.
Appalled at the poor state of Māori culture and language in Taranaki, she formed the Te Reo o Taranaki organisation to promote and foster Māoritanga. As Māori adviser to the Taranaki Polytechnic, she successfully agitated for the establishment of a Māori studies department and found highly skilled tutors for the staff. Through such initiatives Hond assisted a Māoritanga renaissance in Taranaki, especially among the young.
June Opie was a polio survivor, clinical psychologist, writer and broadcaster who overcame discrimination against the disabled to achieve professional and personal success. Her memoir, Over my dead body (1957), was an international best-seller and brought her widespread fame.
New Zealand tailoress, union official, social reformer
German social reformer. At eighteen she had organized a league to aid poor school children, and after her marriage to Dr. Morgenstern she founded the Berlin Kindergarten Association, of which she was president from 1860 – 1866.
Swedish social and ethical writer
English-South African writer
English social reformer and author
American philanthropist and author known for her temperance reform, and in behalf of the advancement of women.