Women in History - Elizabeth Latto Ewan

 

Elizabeth Latto Ewan was born in Fyvie in 1875. She was the daughter of the Reverend William Ewan of the Free Church at Fyvie, and his wife Elizabeth Ramsay. As a young adult, Elizabeth studied medicine at the Medical College for Women in Edinburgh. She became the youngest recipient of the Scottish Triple Qualification in 1895. From there, Elizabeth continued her studies in Midwifery and Women’s Diseases in both Dublin and Glasgow. She returned to Aberdeen in 1896 and opened her practice. Hers was the first women only medical practice in Aberdeen. 

Elizabeth made a point of offering care to women of lower classes, finding them more susceptible to illness and disease. To supplement her income, Elizabeth also worked as a medical examiner for the Colonial Mutual Assurance Society. She became the Society’s first female member in 1898. 

Although she, at times, clashed with her conservative male colleagues, Elizabeth was known as charming and having high standards and professional integrity. Throughout her career, Elizabeth championed women’s rights and healthcare for all classes of women.

 

Women's History Month - Madge Easton Anderson

 

Madge Easton Anderson was born in Glasgow on 24 April 1896. Her parents were Anne Catherine Chisholm Robert Easton Anderson. Robert Easton was a maker of surgical instruments while Anne’s father had been a seller of books in Inverness. Madge was the youngest of three girls born to the couple.

 

After completing school, Madge received an MA and then went on to study at the Faculty of Law at the University of Glasgow. She trained as an apprentice at the law firm Maclay Murray and Spens LLP.  The Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 allowed women to enter the legal profession for the first time, paving the way for Madge. A year later, she became the first woman to work as a professional lawyer in the UK. 

Madge also volunteered her time through the University’s settlement organization to offer free legal advice to people in the Anderston area of Glasgow. She is recorded as being a ‘Poor Man’s Lawyer’ offering legal advice to those who could not afford it. 

In 1937, Madge qualified as a solicitor in England. This made her the first woman to qualify in two jurisdictions within the UK.  In London, Madge worked in partnership with two other women, making their firm the first of all female law firm in the UK. 

In her retirement, Madge moved back to Scotland, purchasing a home in Dunkeld. For a time, she ran this as a private hotel. She eventually gave that up and moved to a cottage near Crieff. Anderson died at the Royal Infirmary in Perth at the age of 96.

 

Women's History Month - Winnifred Drinkwater

 

Winnifred Joyce Drinkwater was born in East Renfrewshire on April 11, 1913 to Albert Drinkwater, an engineer, and his wife Emma Banner. Winnie was one of three children born to the couple.  

At the age of 17, Winnie joined the Scottish Flying Club where she trained under instructor Captain John Houston. 

Later that same year, Winnie made aviation when she became Scotland’s youngest aircraft pilot. By the time Winnie turned 21, she was the youngest commercial pilot in Britain. She subsequently went on to become the first female pilot in the UK to fly the Glasgow to London route.