Hilda Stevenson-Delhomme

Hilda Stevenson-Delhomme CBE (née Stevenson; March 8, 1912 January 4, 2001) was a Seychellois politician and doctor. She is the Seychelles' first female politician.[1]

Hilda Stevenson-Delhomme
Portrait of Hilda Stevenson-Delhomme
Born
Marie Hilda Stevenson

(1912-03-08)March 8, 1912
Mahé, Seychelles
DiedJanuary 4, 2001(2001-01-04) (aged 88)
NationalitySeychellois
Alma materSkerry's College
Occupation
Spouse(s)
Andre Delhomme
(m. 1949)
Children
Parent(s)
  • Ti Jean Stevenson (father)
  • Amelia Stevenson (mother)

Early life and education

Born as Marie Hilda Stevenson on March 8, 1912, she was the only daughter of Ti Jean Stevenson Amelia Stevenson. She started her early education at the Convents in Victoria, Seychelles and Ayrshire, Scotland.[1] She obtained her first degree at Skerry's College before proceeding to study medicine. She is a licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Surgeons.[1]

Career

In 1939, Stevenson-Delhomme returned to the Seychelles where she practiced medicine until in 1944 when she returned to Scotland in order to further her education. During the World War II, she was active in emergency services in several hospitals in Scotland. A return to the Seychelles following the ill-health of her mother saw her practice medicine privately.[2]

In 1951 she was elected as one of the members of the Legislative Council.[3] In 1952, Stevenson-Delhomme was instrumental in the fight against tuberculosis by founding the Tuberculosis Funds Programme to assist sufferers discharged from hospital. In 1954, she became medical officer of the Red Cross Society in the Seychelles. She became the Seychelles first female parliamentarian following her appointment as member of the National Assembly in 1967 after forming her own now-defunct political party "Parti Seselwa" in 1964.[4][5]

Death

She died on January 4, 2001, in France, aged 88.[1]

Recognitions

Legacy

In recognition for her contributions to politics and health in Seychelles, the Stevenson-Delhomme Road in Saint Louis, Seychelles is named after her.[7]

References

  1. "First Seychellois lady doctor, politician passes away". The Seychelles Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  2. "Dr Hilda Stevenson-Delhomme Seychelles' First Female Politician". Kreol Magazine. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  3. F.E. MacGregor (2004) A Parliamentary History of Seychelles, p17
  4. "Seychelles Parties". Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  5. "A Short History of the National Assembly of Seychelles". National Assembly of Seychelles. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  6. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/42573/page/435/data.pdf
  7. Julien Durup. "The District of Saint Louis and its Cantons". Seychelles e-News. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
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