Dame Ada May Norris, DBE,

CMG CMG may refer to: Companies * Capitol Music Group, a music label * China Media Group, the predominant state radio and television broadcaster in the PRC * China Media Group Co., Ltd., publicly listed Chinese holding company in the media sector * ...

(''née'' Bickford; 28 July 1901–10 July 1989) was an Australian 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 International Women's Year (IWY) was the name given to 1975 by the United Nations. Since that year March 8 has been celebrated as International Women's Day, and the United Nations Decade for Women, from 1976 to 1985, was also established. His ...

Committee.

Education

Ada May Bickford was educated at Melbourne High School and the

University of Melbourne The University of Melbourne is a public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest university and the oldest in Victoria. Its main campus is located in Parkville, an inner suburb n ...

, where she graduated in 1924 (BA Dip. Ed.).

Marriage

In 1929, she married John Gerald Norris (1903-1990), a futur
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, a barrister, lawyer, law lecturer and judge. Jane completed architecture at the

, 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

* Awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953 * Ada Norris was appointed

OBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

on 10 June 1954 * Appointed DBE on 12 June 1976 ''"for distinguished community service"''. * Appointed a

(in her capacity as President of Australia's National Council of Women)Biodata from Women of Australia website
/ref> * Awarded the

Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal The Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (french: link=no, Médaille du jubilé d'argent de la reine Elizabeth II) is a commemorative medal created in 1977 to mark the 25th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession in 1952. The medal is p ...

1977 * Awarded the UN Peace Medal 1975

References

External links

Monash University archivesVictoria, Australia government archives site
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Norris, Ada 1901 births 1989 deaths Australian Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire Australian Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George Activists from Melbourne University of Melbourne alumni 20th-century Australian women