Mary Isabel Fraser
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Mary Isabel Fraser | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Mary Isabel Fraser in 1910 (aged 47). | |
| Born | March 20, 1863 |
| Died | April 18, 1942 (aged 79) |
| Education | MA in Physics (1889).[1] |
| Alma mater | University of Otago |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1890 ~ 1921 |
| Known for | Girls' education, Kiwifruit culture. |
| Title | Lady principal of Whanganui Girls' College (1894-1910), of Iona College (1914-1921).[1] |
| Movement | Feminism.[1] |
| Spouse | Never married.[1] |
Mary Isabel Fraser (20 March 1863 – 18 April 1942) was a New Zealand teacher, school principal and educationalist.
Throughout her career as a teacher and then as a school principal, she was a strong advocate for girls' education.[1][2]
She is also known for having introduced, after returning from a trip to Yichang in China, the first kiwifruit seeds in New Zealand, in 1904.[1][2] This allowed nurseryman Alexander Allison to grow plants from these seeds,[2] and it was from this experience that the worldwide kiwifruit industry developed.[1]