Ada Norris
Encyclopedia
Dame Ada May Bickford Norris, DCMG
, DBE
(28 July 1901–1989), was an Australia
n women's rights activist and community worker. She founded the UNAA National Status of Women Network in 1974 and served as President of Australia's National Council of Women. In 1975 Norris headed the Australian International Women's Year Committee.
, where she graduated in 1924 (BA Dip. Ed.)
barrister, lawyer, law lecturer and judge. Jane completed architecture at the University of Melbourne
, worked extensively in Theatre and film production design in the UK and became head of Design at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS; 1988-1994).
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
, DBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(28 July 1901–1989), was an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n women's rights activist and community worker. She founded the UNAA National Status of Women Network in 1974 and served as President of Australia's National Council of Women. In 1975 Norris headed the Australian International Women's Year Committee.
Education
Ada Bickford was educated at Melbourne High School and the University of MelbourneUniversity of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, where she graduated in 1924 (BA Dip. Ed.)
Marriage
In 1929 she married John Gerald Norris (1903-1990), a future Victoria Supreme Court jurist, later styled as Sir John Norris; they had two daughters, Rosemary (born 1933) and Jane (born 1938). Rosemary would later be known as the Hon. Rosemary Balmford, abarrister, lawyer, law lecturer and judge. Jane completed architecture at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, worked extensively in Theatre and film production design in the UK and became head of Design at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS; 1988-1994).
Honours
- Ada Norris was appointed OBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
on 10 June 1954 - Appointed DBE on 12 June 1976 "for distinguished community service".
- Awarded the DCMG (in her capacity as President of Australia's National Council of Women)