Helen Benson

Gertrude Helen Benson (née Rawson, 25 January 1886 – 20 February 1964) was a New Zealand professor of home science. She was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, on 25 January 1886.[1] Benson completed a BSc in natural sciences at Cambridge but didn't receive her degree until 1919, some years after finishing.[2] After completing a postgraduate diploma in household and social science from King's College, London, Benson was appointed as a lecturer in chemistry and household and social economics in the School of Home Sciences at the University of Otago from 1911.[1][2]

External image
Portrait of Helen Rawson - Hocken Collections

When Professor Winifred Boys-Smith retired in 1920, Benson became Professor of Home Science and dean of the Faculty of Home Science.[1] Benson married William Noel Benson in December 1923, after which she resigned from her position at the university.[1]

In 1920, after studying in the United States and Canada, Benson founded the New Zealand branch of the International Federation of University Women, and was its first president.[1][2][3]

Awards and honours

In 2017, she was selected as one the Royal Society of New Zealand's "150 women in 150 words".[4]

References
  1. Campbell, J. D. "Gertrude Helen Benson". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  2. "Helen Rawson". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  3. "Graduate Women New Zealand | NZHistory, New Zealand history online". nzhistory.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  4. "150 Women in 150 Words". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 11 November 2020.


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